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.

Also called: Air Pollution Control Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Consultant, Environmental Analyst, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Engineer, Environmental Remediation Specialist, Hazardous Substances Engineer, Sanitary Engineer, Air Quality Engineer, Civil Engineer, Coastal Engineer, Environmental Compliance Engineer, Environmental Coordinator, Environmental Designer, Environmental Engineering Intern, Environmental Planner, Environmental Project Engineer, Environmental Project Manager, Environmental Remediation Engineer, Environmental Safety Specialist, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Systems Coordinator, Environmental Test Engineer, Environmentalist, Flood Control Engineer, Hazardous Waste Management Control Engineer, Hazardous Waste Management Specialist, Industrial Hygiene Engineer, Irrigation Engineer, Pollution Control Engineer, Project Engineer, Public Health Engineer, Radiation Protection Engineer, Remediation Project Engineer, Reservoir Engineer, Sanitation Engineer, Sewage Disposal Engineer, Soil Engineer, Solid Waste Engineer, Solid Waste Management Engineer, Waste Management Engineer

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Learning
Coordination
Mathematics
Science

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (61.90% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

83,570–134,420 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 17-2081.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build design, analysis, validation, and project experience; explore senior technical specialist, project lead, or engineering-management paths with the required qualifications.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (61.90% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Environmental Engineers