Engineering and architecture
Environmental engineer
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.
Median pay
$107,110
Growth to 2035
+6%
faster than average
Openings a year
2,300
Time to qualify*
Minimal
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Environmental engineer
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Environmental engineer: 62% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
- Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment.
- Develop proposed project objectives and targets and report to management on progress in attaining them.
- Monitor progress of environmental improvement programs.
- Prepare, review, or update environmental investigation or recommendation reports.
- Prepare, maintain, or revise quality assurance documentation or procedures.
Also called: Air Pollution Control Engineer · Engineer · Engineering Consultant · Environmental Analyst · Environmental Consultant · Environmental Engineer · Environmental Remediation Specialist · Hazardous Substances Engineer
Outlook and AI
Environmental engineers held 39,100 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 41,600 by 2035 (+6%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Environmental engineer vs. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
- Environmental engineer vs. Civil engineer
- Environmental engineer vs. Environmental engineering technologists and technicians
- Environmental engineer vs. Managers, all other
- Environmental engineer vs. Compliance officer
- Environmental engineer vs. Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
- Environmental engineer vs. Natural sciences manager
- Environmental engineer vs. Conservation scientist