Environmental Engineer Overview
Overall Score 5.6 / 10
- #2 in Best Engineering Jobs
- #16 in Best STEM Jobs
- #34 in 100 Best Jobs
What is an Environmental Engineer?
- Median Salary
- $96,530
- Unemployment Rate
- 1.1%
- Number of Jobs
- 2,900
What is an Environmental Engineer?
- Median Salary
- $96,530
- Unemployment Rate
- 1.1%
- Number of Jobs
- 2,900
Environmental engineers work to prevent, control or remediate any hazards to the environment using their engineering expertise. Their work might focus on topics like waste disposal, erosion, and water and air pollution.
"Most people really don't know what environmental engineers do," says Dan Wittliff, managing director of environmental services with GDS Associates in Austin, Texas. They hear "environmental engineer," and they often think "environmentalist," he adds.
"It's not only about Earth Day and environmental consciousness," Wittliff says. "Those can be part of what an environmental engineer does, but in terms of what an environmental engineer does day in and day out, you're really focused on what the regulations say, what you're required to do to meet those regulations and how you're going to do it, [while also bearing in mind] the cost and the timeline."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.1% employment growth for environmental engineers between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 2,900 jobs should open up.
"Most people really don't know what environmental engineers do," says Dan Wittliff, managing director of environmental services with GDS Associates in Austin, Texas. They hear "environmental engineer," and they often think "environmentalist," he adds.
"It's not only about Earth Day and environmental consciousness," Wittliff says. "Those can be part of what an environmental engineer does, but in terms of what an environmental engineer does day in and day out, you're really focused on what the regulations say, what you're required to do to meet those regulations and how you're going to do it, [while also bearing in mind] the cost and the timeline."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.1% employment growth for environmental engineers between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 2,900 jobs should open up.
- Median Salary
- $96,530
- Unemployment Rate
- 1.1%
- Number of Jobs
- 2,900
Environmental engineers work to prevent, control or remediate any hazards to the environment using their engineering expertise. Their work might focus on topics like waste disposal, erosion, and water and air pollution.
"Most people really don't know what environmental engineers do," says Dan Wittliff, managing director of environmental services with GDS Associates in Austin, Texas. They hear "environmental engineer," and they often think "environmentalist," he adds.
"It's not only about Earth Day and environmental consciousness," Wittliff says. "Those can be part of what an environmental engineer does, but in terms of what an environmental engineer does day in and day out, you're really focused on what the regulations say, what you're required to do to meet those regulations and how you're going to do it, [while also bearing in mind] the cost and the timeline."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.1% employment growth for environmental engineers between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 2,900 jobs should open up.
"Most people really don't know what environmental engineers do," says Dan Wittliff, managing director of environmental services with GDS Associates in Austin, Texas. They hear "environmental engineer," and they often think "environmentalist," he adds.
"It's not only about Earth Day and environmental consciousness," Wittliff says. "Those can be part of what an environmental engineer does, but in terms of what an environmental engineer does day in and day out, you're really focused on what the regulations say, what you're required to do to meet those regulations and how you're going to do it, [while also bearing in mind] the cost and the timeline."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.1% employment growth for environmental engineers between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 2,900 jobs should open up.
Rankings
Environmental Engineers rank #2 in Best Engineering Jobs. Jobs are ranked according to their ability to offer an elusive mix of factors. Read more about how we rank the best jobs.
5.6
Scorecard
- Salary 7.4
- Job Market 4.2
- Future Growth 4.9
- Stress 4.8
- Work Life Balance 6.1
How Much Does an Environmental Engineer Make?
Environmental Engineers made a median salary of $96,530 in 2022. The best-paid 25% made $123,540 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $75,550.
See Full Salary Details »
Job Satisfaction
Average Americans work well into their 60s, so workers might as well have a job that's enjoyable and a career that's fulfilling. A job with a low stress level, good work-life balance and solid prospects to improve, get promoted and earn a higher salary would make many employees happy. Here's how Environmental Engineers job satisfaction is rated in terms of upward mobility, stress level and flexibility.
Upward Mobility
Upward Mobility
Opportunities for advancements and salary
Above Average
Opportunities for advancements and salary
Stress Level
Stress Level
Work environment and complexities of the job's responsibilities
Below Average
Work environment and complexities of the job's responsibilities
Flexibility
Flexibility
Alternative working schedule and work life balance
Above Average
Alternative working schedule and work life balance
How to Become an Environmental Engineer?
Environmental engineers will need at least a bachelor's degree in civil, chemical, environmental or general engineering. Environmental engineering is a relatively new discipline. Wittliff, who earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1972, says, "If you're older than 50 and practicing as an environmental engineer, you don't have a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering."
Those who take the environmental engineering route can expect to work in the classroom, laboratory and out in the field. Some programs also make it easier to get your master's with a five-year program, which combines both bachelor's and master's degrees. A master's degree, though not necessary to find a job, can open opportunities teaching at higher education institutions or performing research. Wittliff followed up his bachelor's degree with an MBA.
Additionally, after working a few years in the field, many environmental engineers choose to get licensed as a professional engineer by graduating from an accredited program, earning four years of professional experience and passing both the Fundamentals of Engineering and the Professional Engineering exams.
Those who take the environmental engineering route can expect to work in the classroom, laboratory and out in the field. Some programs also make it easier to get your master's with a five-year program, which combines both bachelor's and master's degrees. A master's degree, though not necessary to find a job, can open opportunities teaching at higher education institutions or performing research. Wittliff followed up his bachelor's degree with an MBA.
Additionally, after working a few years in the field, many environmental engineers choose to get licensed as a professional engineer by graduating from an accredited program, earning four years of professional experience and passing both the Fundamentals of Engineering and the Professional Engineering exams.