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
WritingSpeakingMonitoringReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyDesignChemistryMathematicsBuilding and Construction
Technology & tools
Analytical or scientific softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareOffice suite softwareObject or component oriented development softwareCompliance software
Representative 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.Develop site-specific health and safety protocols, such as spill contingency plans or methods for loading or transporting waste.Provide technical support for environmental remediation or litigation projects, including remediation system design or determination of regulatory applicability.Prepare or present public briefings on the status of environmental engineering projects.Assist in budget implementation, forecasts, or administration.Coordinate or manage environmental protection programs or projects, assigning or evaluating work.Advise industries or government agencies about environmental policies and standards.Obtain, update, or maintain plans, permits, or standard operating procedures.Direct installation or operation of environmental monitoring devices or supervise related data collection programs.Inspect industrial or municipal facilities or programs to evaluate operational effectiveness or ensure compliance with environmental regulations.Request bids from suppliers or consultants.Inform company employees or other interested parties of environmental issues.Serve as liaison with federal, state, or local agencies or officials on issues pertaining to solid or hazardous waste program requirements.Provide administrative support for projects by collecting data, providing project documentation, training staff, or performing other general administrative duties.Develop or present environmental compliance training or orientation sessions.Provide environmental engineering assistance in network analysis, regulatory analysis, or planning or reviewing database development.Provide assistance with planning, quality assurance, safety inspection protocols, or sampling as part of a team conducting multimedia inspections at complex facilities.Develop, implement, or manage plans or programs related to conservation or management of natural resources.Prepare hazardous waste manifests or land disposal restriction notifications.Attend professional conferences to share information.Write reports or articles for Web sites or newsletters related to environmental engineering issues.Assess, sort, characterize, or pack known or unknown materials.
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
139 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Civil Engineer, RPA (Air Force 32E4M)Emergency Management Journeyman (Air Force 3E951)Flood Control EngineerCivil Engineer, C2ISREW (Air Force 32E4Z)Civil Engineer, Airlift (Air Force 32E1T)Environmental AnalystEngineer Senior Sergeant (Army 12A)Civil Engineer, Trainer (Air Force 32E3Q)Solid Waste Management EngineerEngineerBioenvironmental Engineer, Health Physics (Air Force 43E4G)Civil Engineer, Special Operations (Air Force 32E3Y)Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer (Air Force 32E1F)Civil Engineer, Fighter (Air Force 32E3P)Civil Engineer, Bomber (Air Force 32E4R)Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Specialist (Marine Corps 5711)Preventive Medicine Sciences (Army 67C)Civil Engineer, RPA (Air Force 32E3M)Disaster Preparedness Officer (Navy 2715)Air Quality EngineerBioenvironmental Engineer, Medical Physics (Air Force 43E3M)Radiation Health Officer (Navy 0845)Civil Engineer, Bomber (Air Force 32E3R)SC - Civil Engineer Corps (Navy 510)Civil Engineer, Trainer (Air Force 32E4Q)Environmental ScientistEnvironmentalistEnvironmental Remediation SpecialistBioenvironmental Engineer, Radiation (Air Force 43E1R)Soil EngineerCivil Engineer, Tanker (Air Force 32E4S)Civil Engineer, General Engineer (Air Force 32E1G)Civil EngineerEnvironmental Systems CoordinatorCivil Engineer, Trainer (Air Force 32E1Q)Civil Engineer, Readiness and Emergency Management Engineer (Air Force 32E3B)Irrigation EngineerHazardous Substances EngineerCivil Engineer, Tanker (Air Force 32E1S)Environmental Project Engineer