Occupation · SOC 17-2081
Environmental Engineers
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 wage
$104,170
$64,950–$161,910
Projected growth
+4.1%
Average growth
Annual openings
150
per year
Employed (US)
37,950
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
144 mapped
Core skills
WritingSpeakingReading ComprehensionMonitoringCritical ThinkingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingCoordinationActive LearningScienceMathematicsTime ManagementSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessPersuasionNegotiationLearning StrategiesInstructingService OrientationManagement of Personnel ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringOperations AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesOperation and ControlTroubleshootingTechnology DesignProgrammingRepairingInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyDesignChemistryMathematicsBuilding and ConstructionEnglish LanguagePhysicsCustomer and Personal ServiceBiologyComputers and ElectronicsLaw and GovernmentMechanicalAdministration and ManagementEconomics and AccountingPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingSales and MarketingPersonnel and Human ResourcesGeographyCommunications and MediaAdministrativeTelecommunicationsProduction and ProcessingTransportationPsychologySociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageFood ProductionTherapy and CounselingPhilosophy and TheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
ANSYS simulation softwareAir dispersion modeling softwareAutodesk AutoCADAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DBentley MicroStationBusiness software applicationsC++Computer aided design CAD softwareComputer aided design and drafting software CADDContinuous emission management softwareDHI Water and Environment MIKE SHEESRI ArcGIS softwareESRI ArcViewEcological risk assessment softwareEkoEnvironmental health and safety documentation softwareFinite element method FEM softwareFormula translation/translator FORTRANFugitive emission leak detection softwareGas dispersion model softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsGeomechanical design analysis GDA softwareGreenhouse gas management softwareHEC-RASHazardous materials management HMS softwareHydrologic simulation program fortan HSPF softwareImage analysis softwareInsightful S-PLUSLINDO Systems optimization modeling softwareMaplesoft MapleMaterial safety data sheet MSDS softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft WordOil mapping softwarePhotogrammetric softwarePython
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersGetting InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing Data or InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkProcessing InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsScheduling Work and ActivitiesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationThinking CreativelyGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDocumenting/Recording InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDeveloping and Building TeamsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeoplePerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicTraining and Teaching OthersCoaching and Developing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesSelling or Influencing OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesHandling and Moving ObjectsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Environmental regulations and permit requirements — identify and summarize under direct supervision when reviewing project documentation at an entry-level engineering firm.Water, air, and soil quality data — collect and record using established field sampling protocols on remediation sites with senior engineer oversight.Environmental investigation reports — draft initial sections following standard templates under the guidance of a licensed environmental engineer.CAD and GIS software tools — operate at a basic level to prepare site maps and layout diagrams as directed on environmental infrastructure projects.Potential environmental impacts of land use proposals — recognize and flag for supervisor review during preliminary project assessments.Quality assurance documentation — complete standardized forms and checklists according to established procedures on laboratory or field projects.Technical findings from environmental monitoring data — compile and organize into structured spreadsheets for review by senior staff.Cross-disciplinary project teams including scientists and planners — participate in scheduled meetings, taking notes and following up on assigned action items.Analytical or scientific software packages — enter data and generate basic outputs under supervision to support environmental impact analyses.Environmental improvement program milestones — track against project schedules and report status updates to supervising engineers.
developing
Environmental impact assessments for land use projects — conduct independently using established methodologies, evaluating effects on air, water, and soil quality.Remediation system designs for contaminated sites — develop with reduced oversight, applying engineering principles to select appropriate treatment technologies.Environmental investigation and recommendation reports — prepare and revise to professional standards, incorporating field data, regulatory requirements, and project objectives.Compliance software and regulatory databases — navigate routinely to verify that project designs and procedures align with applicable local, state, and federal requirements.Progress of environmental improvement programs — monitor against defined targets and communicate findings to project managers and clients in written status reports.Quality assurance procedures for environmental sampling — maintain and update documentation to reflect changes in field conditions or regulatory guidance.Cross-functional teams of engineers, scientists, and legal specialists — coordinate task assignments and information sharing to keep environmental projects on schedule.GIS platforms and map creation software — apply to analyze spatial patterns of contamination and present findings in client-ready maps and visualizations.Corporate and government clients — advise on cleanup procedures for contaminated sites, translating technical findings into actionable recommendations.Environmental chemistry and hydrology principles — apply to interpret monitoring data and troubleshoot discrepancies in remediation system performance.
proficient
Complex remediation systems for water, air, and soil quality management — design autonomously, selecting and integrating process equipment to meet site-specific regulatory endpoints.Comprehensive environmental impact evaluations for large-scale land use projects — lead from scoping through final report, handling non-routine contamination scenarios and sensitive receptor concerns.Multidisciplinary project teams spanning engineering, science, legal, and business disciplines — direct collaboration efforts to develop integrated solutions to complex environmental problems.Regulatory negotiation processes with government agencies — represent client or organizational interests, interpreting environmental law and proposing technically defensible remedial approaches.Project objectives, performance targets, and milestones — establish with management, then track and report progress using quantitative environmental performance metrics.Environmental investigation reports and technical memoranda — author, critically review, and finalize documents that withstand regulatory scrutiny and peer challenge.Industrial control software and monitoring instrumentation — configure and interpret to optimize the operational performance of engineered environmental control systems.Advanced analytical software for fate-and-transport modeling — apply to predict contaminant behavior and design protective remedial strategies under uncertain conditions.Quality management systems for environmental programs — develop and audit to ensure data defensibility, regulatory compliance, and continuous process improvement.Emerging environmental regulations and applied science developments — evaluate through active learning and integrate into project methodologies ahead of regulatory deadlines.
advanced
Organization-wide environmental engineering standards and design criteria — establish and institutionalize, setting technical direction for multi-project portfolios across diverse regulatory jurisdictions.Strategic environmental compliance and remediation programs for corporations or government agencies — lead at the executive level, aligning technical decisions with legal, financial, and reputational objectives.Environmental assessment frameworks for major infrastructure or industrial development initiatives — oversee from concept through closure, managing risk and stakeholder expectations at an organizational scale.Junior and mid-level environmental engineers — mentor and develop through structured coaching, project delegation, and formal training initiatives, elevating team-wide technical capability.Cross-sector partnerships with regulatory bodies, industry coalitions, and academic institutions — forge and sustain to advance innovative environmental remediation technologies and policy frameworks.Organizational quality assurance governance — design and champion enterprise-level QA/QC systems that ensure defensible data and regulatory confidence across all environmental projects.Executive leadership and boards — advise on environmental liability exposure, sustainability commitments, and the regulatory landscape, translating complex technical risk into strategic business terms.Environmental program performance at the portfolio level — evaluate using systems analysis and key performance indicators, driving continuous improvement and resource optimization across business units.Proprietary environmental engineering methodologies and applied research initiatives — originate and direct, positioning the organization at the forefront of remediation technology and regulatory influence.Organizational responses to emerging environmental crises or landmark regulatory changes — lead, mobilizing multidisciplinary teams and deploying innovative engineering solutions under high-stakes conditions.
Also known as
42 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Air Pollution Control EngineerAir Quality EngineerCivil EngineerCoastal EngineerEngineerEngineering ConsultantEnvironmental AnalystEnvironmental Compliance EngineerEnvironmental ConsultantEnvironmental CoordinatorEnvironmental DesignerEnvironmental EngineerEnvironmental Engineering InternEnvironmental PlannerEnvironmental Project EngineerEnvironmental Project ManagerEnvironmental Remediation EngineerEnvironmental Remediation SpecialistEnvironmental Safety SpecialistEnvironmental ScientistEnvironmental Systems CoordinatorEnvironmental Test EngineerEnvironmentalistFlood Control EngineerHazardous Substances EngineerHazardous Waste Management Control EngineerHazardous Waste Management SpecialistIndustrial Hygiene EngineerIrrigation EngineerPollution Control EngineerProject EngineerPublic Health EngineerRadiation Protection EngineerRemediation Project EngineerReservoir EngineerSanitary EngineerSanitation EngineerSewage Disposal EngineerSoil EngineerSolid Waste Engineer