Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.

Also called: Air Quality Instrument Specialist, EHS Engineer (Environmental, Health and Safety Engineer), Engineer, Environmental Engineering Assistant, Environmental Engineering Technician (Environmental Engineering Tech), Environmental Field Technician (Environmental Field Tech), Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech), Haz Tech (Hazardous Technician), Remediation Technician (Remediation Tech), Air Analysis Engineering Technician (Air Analysis Engineering Tech), Air Analysis Technician (Air Analysis Tech), Air Analyst, Air Pollution Specialist, Emissions Technician (Emissions Tech), Environmental Engineering Aide, Environmental Engineering Technologist, Environmental Field Professional, Environmental Remediation Engineering Technician, Pollution Control Engineering Technician (Pollution Control Engineering Tech), Pollution Control Technician (Pollution Control Tech), Quality Technician (Quality Tech), Water Pollution Control Technician (Water Pollution Control Tech)

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

What the worker does

Prepare and package environmental samples for shipping or testing.
Assist in the cleanup of hazardous material spills.
Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings.
Receive, set up, test, or decontaminate equipment.
Inspect facilities to monitor compliance with regulations governing substances, such as asbestos, lead, or wastewater.
Maintain project logbook records or computer program files.
Record laboratory or field data, including numerical data, test results, photographs, or summaries of visual observations.
Decontaminate or test field equipment used to clean or test pollutants from soil, air, or water.
Collect and analyze pollution samples, such as air or ground water.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Speaking
Science
Monitoring
Judgment and Decision Making
Writing
Complex Problem Solving
Quality Control Analysis
Time Management

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (67.31% 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

48,200–75,960 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 17-3025.

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 (67.31% 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 Engineering Technologists and Technicians