Life As 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?
- Provide technical support for environmental remediation or litigation projects, including remediation system design or determination of regulatory applicability.
- Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment.
- Advise industries or government agencies about environmental policies and standards.
- Coordinate or manage environmental protection programs or projects, assigning or evaluating work.
- Develop or present environmental compliance training or orientation sessions.
- Assist in budget implementation, forecasts, or administration.
Qualities of an Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Types of Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Systems Coordinator
- Environmental Analyst
- Pollution Control Engineer
- Environmental Project Manager
- Solid Waste Engineer
What Kind of Environmental Engineer Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 53,800 jobs for Environmental Engineers in 2016.
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.3% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,500 new jobs for Environmental Engineers by 2026. There will be an estimated 4,000 positions for Environmental Engineer per year.
The states with the most job growth for Environmental Engineers are Colorado, California, and New York.
Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for Environmental Engineers
The average yearly salary of an Environmental Engineer ranges between $53,180 and $137,090. An Environmental Engineer median salary is $87,620.
How much do Environmental Engineers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
Alaska |
$116,680 |
|
Louisiana |
$108,980 |
|
California |
$105,480 |
|
Texas |
$102,660 |
|
Maryland |
$102,650 |
|
District of Columbia |
$100,060 |
|
New Hampshire |
$99,840 |
|
South Dakota |
$99,760 |
|
Washington |
$99,750 |
|
Colorado |
$98,350 |
|
Oregon |
$97,440 |
|
Idaho |
$96,870 |
|
New Mexico |
$95,720 |
|
Michigan |
$93,770 |
|
Wyoming |
$93,680 |
|
Tennessee |
$93,620 |
|
Nevada |
$92,810 |
|
Illinois |
$92,200 |
|
Rhode Island |
$91,940 |
|
Hawaii |
$91,270 |
|
New York |
$90,470 |
|
Nebraska |
$90,320 |
|
Massachusetts |
$90,070 |
|
Arkansas |
$89,540 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$89,410 |
|
Connecticut |
$88,810 |
|
New Jersey |
$88,360 |
|
Virginia |
$86,330 |
|
Ohio |
$85,970 |
|
Kansas |
$85,400 |
|
Montana |
$84,960 |
|
Delaware |
$84,480 |
|
Vermont |
$82,430 |
|
Indiana |
$82,180 |
|
North Carolina |
$82,110 |
|
Alabama |
$82,020 |
|
Wisconsin |
$81,860 |
|
Kentucky |
$80,900 |
|
Florida |
$80,540 |
|
Arizona |
$80,330 |
|
Georgia |
$79,700 |
|
Oklahoma |
$79,590 |
|
Iowa |
$79,210 |
|
South Carolina |
$76,970 |
|
North Dakota |
$76,770 |
|
Utah |
$76,530 |
|
Maine |
$75,440 |
|
Mississippi |
$72,400 |
|
Missouri |
$72,290 |
|
West Virginia |
$69,800 |
What Tools & Technology do Environmental Engineers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Environmental Engineers:
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- SofTech CADRA
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- Microsoft Project
- Python
- The MathWorks MATLAB
Where Environmental Engineers Work
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming Environmental Engineers might also be interested in the following careers:
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
- Marine Architects
- Nuclear Engineers
Career changers with experience as an Environmental Engineer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- Biomedical Engineers
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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