Environmental Engineer Salary, Outlook & Career Guide

What Does an Environmental Engineer Do?

Environmental Engineers use principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They work on projects involving water and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, climate change mitigation, and public health. Their work helps protect human health and the environment by reducing pollution and managing natural resources sustainably.

A typical day might involve designing wastewater treatment systems, conducting environmental impact assessments for construction projects, developing remediation plans for contaminated sites, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations (EPA, state agencies), analyzing air and water quality data, and collaborating with scientists, urban planners, and government officials. Work settings vary from office environments for design and analysis to field sites for sampling, inspections, and project oversight. Some positions require occasional travel to project sites or client facilities.

Education & Requirements

Typical Education: Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering or related engineering discipline (Civil, Chemical) with environmental focus. ABET-accredited programs strongly preferred.
Certifications: Professional Engineer (PE) license often required, especially for leadership roles and consulting. Obtained by passing FE exam, gaining 4 years of experience under licensed engineer, and passing PE exam. Certifications in specific areas like stormwater management (CPESC, CESSWI) or hazardous waste operations (HAZWOPER) may be beneficial.
Key Skills: Environmental regulations (NEPA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act), AutoCAD and GIS software, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, data analysis and statistics, project management, technical writing, understanding of chemistry and microbiology, fieldwork and sampling techniques
Experience: Entry-level positions require engineering degree; internships during college highly valued. Some specialized roles may require master's degree in environmental engineering or environmental science.

Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data):

Median Annual Salary: $104,170
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,950
Experienced (90th percentile): $161,910
Top-Paying States: Texas, California, Virginia, Maryland, New York
Top-Paying Metro Areas: Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land TX, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward CA

Job Outlook & Growth

Employment of Environmental Engineers is projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth is driven by ongoing need to clean up contaminated sites, manage water resources, address climate change impacts, and comply with environmental regulations.

State and local governments continue investing in water infrastructure upgrades, particularly drinking water treatment and wastewater management. Climate change adaptation projects (flood control, coastal resilience, stormwater management) create new opportunities. Remediation of contaminated industrial sites (brownfield redevelopment, Superfund sites) provides steady demand. Additionally, industries must comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations, requiring environmental engineering expertise for permits, compliance, and pollution control technologies.

How to Break Into This Field

Education: Earn a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Strong coursework in chemistry, biology, fluid mechanics, and environmental regulations. Pursue internships with environmental consulting firms, government agencies (EPA, state environmental departments), or municipalities during college. Consider a master's degree for specialized roles in air quality, hazardous waste, or sustainability.
Entry-Level Roles: Junior Environmental Engineer, Environmental Consultant, EIT (Engineer-in-Training), Environmental Compliance Specialist, Water/Wastewater Engineer. Many government agencies and consulting firms have structured rotational programs for new graduates.
Build Skills: Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam during senior year or shortly after graduation. Gain proficiency in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, ArcGIS, and environmental modeling software (SWMM, HEC-RAS, AERMOD). Build a portfolio of projects showing environmental analysis, remediation design, or sustainability initiatives. Obtain 40-hour HAZWOPER certification for site work. Join design competitions or sustainability challenges.
Network: Join American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES), Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA), American Water Works Association (AWWA), or local chapters. Attend environmental conferences and workshops. Connect with professionals through university alumni networks and LinkedIn. Participate in environmental volunteer activities and professional honor societies.
Apply Strategically: Target environmental consulting firms (AECOM, Jacobs, Tetra Tech, Arcadis), government agencies (EPA, Army Corps of Engineers, state environmental departments), municipalities (water/wastewater departments), and industries with environmental compliance needs (manufacturing, energy, mining). Federal government positions (USAJOBS.gov) offer stability and competitive benefits.

Career Path & Advancement

Environmental Engineers typically progress from Junior Engineer → Environmental Engineer → Senior Environmental Engineer → Project Manager over 7-10 years. From there, paths diverge into technical leadership (Principal Engineer, Technical Director, Chief Engineer) or management (Program Manager, Director of Environmental Services, VP of Environmental Operations).

Common specializations include water/wastewater treatment, air quality management, hazardous waste remediation, stormwater management, environmental impact assessment, sustainability consulting, or climate change adaptation. Obtaining PE license enables independent consulting practice and signing off on engineering plans. Some environmental engineers transition to regulatory agencies, environmental law, corporate sustainability roles, or environmental policy positions.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Meaningful work protecting public health and the environment
Strong salary with good job stability
Diverse career paths across public and private sectors
Combination of office work and fieldwork provides variety
Growing importance of sustainability and climate adaptation
Opportunities for professional licensure and career advancement

Cons

Smaller job market (39,400 jobs) compared to other engineering fields
Fieldwork can involve exposure to contaminated sites and harsh weather
Regulatory complexity and bureaucratic processes can be frustrating
Project timelines often extended due to regulatory approvals
May require travel to remote or industrial sites
Budget constraints in public sector can limit project scope

Related Careers

If you're interested in Environmental Engineer, you might also consider:

Civil Engineer - Design infrastructure with environmental considerations
Chemical Engineer - Work on pollution control and process efficiency
Urban Planner - Plan sustainable communities and land use
Environmental Scientist - Research environmental issues and develop solutions
Hydrologist - Study water resources and distribution systems
Sustainability Consultant - Advise organizations on environmental practices

Data Source

All salary and employment data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data reflects May 2024 estimates and 2024-2034 projections.

Environmental Engineer Career Guide