Environmental Engineers earn a median of $107,110 per year ($51.50/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 6.3% through 2035, with about 2,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 17-2081
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Environmental Engineer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $107,110a year, or $51.50/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $70KTop 10% $162K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +6.3%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+6.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +6.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2,30039,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202539.1K
- Projected 203541.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 39.1K Projected 2035 41.6K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Associate's4.8%
- Bachelor's61.9%
- Post-bacc certificate4.8%
- Master's28.6%
Highest education held by environmental engineers Segment Value Associate's 4.8% Bachelor's 61.9% Post-bacc certificate 4.8% Master's 28.6%
Also advertised as: Air Pollution Control Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Consultant, Environmental Analyst, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Engineer.
Pay
How much do Environmental Engineers make?
Every environmental engineer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$107,110
Middle half earn $83,570 to $134,420
- 10th
- $69,990
- 25th
- $83,570
- 75th
- $134,420
- 90th
- $162,220
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $69,990 |
| 25th | $83,570 |
| Median | $107,110 |
| 75th | $134,420 |
| 90th | $162,220 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $107,110
- Median hourly wage
- $51.50/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $112,910
- People employed
- 38,340
Versus all US occupations
At $107,110, Environmental Engineers earn 110% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $56,130 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 3% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $162,220 or more while the bottom 10% earn $69,990, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 81% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Louisiana pays the most at $130,510, and still leads at $147,959 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Environmental Engineers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Louisiana | $130,510 | $147,959 | 340 |
| 2California | $130,410 | $117,784 | 4,550 |
| 3Oregon | $127,100 | $122,967 | 650 |
| 4Washington | $125,460 | $117,238 | 1,920 |
| 5Texas | $123,060 | $126,791 | 1,940 |
| 6Nebraska | $120,620 | $133,869 | 270 |
| 7Idaho | $117,520 | $123,065 | 400 |
| 8Florida | $116,840 | $112,983 | 1,800 |
| 9Massachusetts | $115,800 | $109,496 | 1,880 |
| 10Minnesota | $115,750 | $117,369 | 1,080 |
Job outlook
Is Environmental Engineer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +6.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Environmental Engineers | +6.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Environmental Engineers to change 6.3% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 2,300 openings are projected each year, 5.9% of the 39,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Heightened public awareness of the hazards facing the environment is expected to support demand for environmental engineers. For example, these workers are expected to be needed to help design solutions to improve water and air quality amid growing concerns about pollution and the lack of access to clean drinking water across the country.
Getting in
How to become an Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a related field, such as chemical, civil, or general engineering. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have gained practical experience in an internship or cooperative education program.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as environmental engineers.
- Bachelor's Degree61.9%
- Master's Degree28.6%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4.8%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate4.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 61.9% |
| Master's Degree | 28.6% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 4.8% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Environmental Engineer do?
Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
Environmental engineers use engineering disciplines in developing solutions to problems of planetary health. Their work may involve concerns such as waste treatment, site remediation, and pollution control technology.
Day-to-day tasks
- Design, or supervise the design of, systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.
- Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of land use projects on air, water, or land.
- Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, experts in law or business, or other specialists to address environmental problems.
- Develop proposed project objectives and targets and report to management on progress in attaining them.
- Prepare or present public briefings on the status of environmental engineering projects.
- Assist in budget implementation, forecasts, or administration.
- Obtain, update, or maintain plans, permits, or standard operating procedures.
- Request bids from suppliers or consultants.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most environmental engineers work full time. They may need to work more than 40 hours per week, such as to monitor a project’s progress or to troubleshoot problems.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where environmental engineers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Engineering services24%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals20%
- Management, scientific, and technical consulting services19%
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals7%
- Federal government, excluding postal service6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Engineering services | 24% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 20% |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 19% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 7% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Monitoring4.0
- Active Learning3.8
- Mathematics3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.8 |
| Mathematics | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Coordination3.8
- Systems Analysis3.3
- Systems Evaluation3.3
- Time Management3.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Persuasion3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Coordination | 3.8 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.3 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Compliance software
- Desktop communications software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Environmental Engineer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Environmental Engineer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative6.1
- Realistic5.2
- Conventional4.6
- Enterprising3.2
- Social2.2
- Artistic2.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Environmental Engineer
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health
$82,220median a year
Most earn $53K to $140K
+6.1%Bachelor's - Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
Environmental Engineering Technologist and Technician
$59,920median a year
Most earn $40K to $97K
+3.1%Associate's - Management
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialist and Site Manager
$141,900median a year
Most earn $74K to $238K
+4.9%Bachelor's - Business and Financial Operations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health
$55,090median a year
Most earn $38K to $94K
+6.9%Associate's
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with environmental engineers highlighted
- Computer Hardware Engineer$161,740
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $161,740 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Environmental Engineer appears on
Questions
Environmental Engineer: frequently asked questions
How much do Environmental Engineers make?
Environmental Engineers earn a median of $107,110 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 110% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $51.50/hr. The middle half earn between $83,570 and $134,420. The top 10% earn $162,220 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Environmental Engineer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Environmental Engineers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 61.9% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Environmental Engineer a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6.3% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 2,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Environmental Engineer do?
Environmental engineers use engineering disciplines in developing solutions to problems of planetary health. A core O*NET task: design, or supervise the design of, systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Environmental Engineers the most?
The highest state medians for Environmental Engineers are Louisiana ($130,510), California ($130,410), Oregon ($127,100) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Environmental Engineer?
O*NET scores Environmental Engineers highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.