What is an Environmental Engineer?
Job Description & Duties 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.
What Do Environmental Engineers Do On a Daily Basis?
- Prepare or present public briefings on the status of environmental engineering projects.
- Write reports or articles for Web sites or newsletters related to environmental engineering issues.
- Provide technical support for environmental remediation or litigation projects, including remediation system design or determination of regulatory applicability.
- Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, experts in law or business, or other specialists to address environmental problems.
- Serve as liaison with federal, state, or local agencies or officials on issues pertaining to solid or hazardous waste program requirements.
- Develop site-specific health and safety protocols, such as spill contingency plans or methods for loading or transporting waste.
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Environmental Engineer Needed Skills
When polled, Environmental Engineers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles
- Sanitation Engineer
- Wastewater Treatment Engineer
- Sewage Disposal Engineer
- Environmental Scientist
- Water Treatment Plant Engineer
Job Demand for Environmental Engineers
There were about 53,800 jobs for Environmental Engineer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,500 new jobs for Environmental Engineer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Environmental Engineer are Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does an Environmental Engineer Make?
The typical yearly salary for Environmental Engineers is somewhere between $53,180 and $137,090.
Environmental Engineers who work in Alaska, Louisiana, or California, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Environmental Engineers in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $82,020 |
| Alaska | $116,680 |
| Arizona | $80,330 |
| Arkansas | $89,540 |
| California | $105,480 |
| Colorado | $98,350 |
| Connecticut | $88,810 |
| Delaware | $84,480 |
| District of Columbia | $100,060 |
| Florida | $80,540 |
| Georgia | $79,700 |
| Hawaii | $91,270 |
| Idaho | $96,870 |
| Illinois | $92,200 |
| Indiana | $82,180 |
| Iowa | $79,210 |
| Kansas | $85,400 |
| Kentucky | $80,900 |
| Louisiana | $108,980 |
| Maine | $75,440 |
| Maryland | $102,650 |
| Massachusetts | $90,070 |
| Michigan | $93,770 |
| Mississippi | $72,400 |
| Missouri | $72,290 |
| Montana | $84,960 |
| Nebraska | $90,320 |
| Nevada | $92,810 |
| New Hampshire | $99,840 |
| New Jersey | $88,360 |
| New Mexico | $95,720 |
| New York | $90,470 |
| North Carolina | $82,110 |
| North Dakota | $76,770 |
| Ohio | $85,970 |
| Oklahoma | $79,590 |
| Oregon | $97,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $89,410 |
| Rhode Island | $91,940 |
| South Carolina | $76,970 |
| South Dakota | $99,760 |
| Tennessee | $93,620 |
| Texas | $102,660 |
| Utah | $76,530 |
| Vermont | $82,430 |
| Virginia | $86,330 |
| Washington | $99,750 |
| West Virginia | $69,800 |
| Wisconsin | $81,860 |
| Wyoming | $93,680 |
What Tools & Technology do Environmental Engineers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Environmental Engineers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Python
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- SAS
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Bentley Microstation
- ESRI ArcView
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- Insightful S-PLUS
- Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
- Maplesoft Maple
- Simulation software
Becoming an Environmental Engineer
Education needed to be an Environmental Engineer:
How Long Does it Take to Become an Environmental Engineer?
Where Environmental Engineers Are Employed
Environmental Engineers work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being an Environmental Engineer may also be interested in:
- Landscape Architects
- Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Marine Architects
- Materials Scientists
- Nuclear Engineers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Marine Engineers
Career changers with experience as an Environmental Engineer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alesia Goosic via Public Domain
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