Profession · Full profile

Environmental Engineer

Design environmental systems, ensure regulatory compliance, and oversee soil and water remediation.

Average salary

$107,110

Salary range

$69,990 – $162,220

Training time

4 years full time

Job market

Faster than average

8/10

Work-life balance

Good

7/10

Environmental engineers design systems for drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, and stormwater control while managing contaminated soil and groundwater cleanup. They evaluate environmental data, prepare permit applications, and help facilities follow environmental regulations such as the Clean Water Act. Splitting their time between offices and field sites, these professionals inspect industrial operations and advise private companies alongside government agencies on practical pollution reduction strategies that protect ecosystems and surrounding communities.

A workday

A day in the life

What does a workday really look like?

A standard day in the office focusing on treatment design calculations, hydraulic modeling, and permit documentation.

8:30 AM
Review site assessment data
Examine incoming groundwater monitoring reports and laboratory soil test results.
9:30 AM
Water treatment system modeling
Run hydraulic modeling software to size pumps and piping networks for a municipal treatment plant.
11:30 AM
Project team coordination
Meet with civil engineers and project managers to coordinate design schematics and deliverables.
12:30 PM
Lunch break
Midday meal and personal time.
1:15 PM
CAD drafting and design work
Update stormwater retention drawings and wastewater filtration layouts in CAD software.
3:00 PM
Regulatory permit documentation
Draft technical compliance sections for a Clean Water Act discharge permit application.
4:30 PM
Daily project tracking
Log project hours, review task budgets, and organize technical files for the client.

Task breakdown

An active field day conducting site assessments, environmental sampling, and compliance reviews.

7:30 AM
Site safety briefing
Review OSHA HAZWOPER requirements and put on protective gear at the remediation site.
8:30 AM
Soil and groundwater sampling
Oversee sample collection across monitoring wells to measure contaminant levels.
11:00 AM
Facility walk-through inspection
Inspect industrial wastewater equipment and verify emissions monitoring logs.
12:30 PM
Lunch break
Midday rest break on site.
1:15 PM
Contractor coordination meeting
Discuss excavation progress and timelines with remediation contractors.
2:30 PM
Field notes and sample documentation
Log field observations and verify chain-of-custody documentation for testing laboratories.
4:00 PM
Travel and debrief
Return from the site and submit status updates to the lead project manager.

Salary data

What do you really earn?

Salary by experience, sector and region.

Minimum

$69,990

Average

$107,110

Maximum

$162,220

Salary by region

Region	Min	Avg.	Max
National	$69,990	$107,110	$162,220
California	$79,790	$130,410	$170,790
New York	$67,370	$101,270	$157,490
Texas	$76,510	$123,060	$177,820
Washington	$80,660	$125,460	$175,610
Massachusetts	$77,150	$115,800	$172,920

Typical benefits

Health insurance

Comprehensive medical coverage provided by consulting firms and public agencies.

Retirement plans

Employer-sponsored plans to support long-term financial security.

Paid licensing exams and professional development

Employer funding for PE exam fees, credential maintenance, and technical training.

Hybrid work options

Flexibility to split work hours between home and corporate office settings.

Pathways

Education pathways

Which paths lead to this profession?

Bachelor's degree

4 years full time

Bachelor's degree in environmental, civil or chemical engineering

Provides core engineering training. Employers prefer ABET-accredited programs, which most states require for licensure, and internships or co-ops provide valuable field experience.

Costs: About $11,950 a year in average published tuition and fees at a public four-year college for in-state students, and $45,000 at a private nonprofit four-year college
Entry requirements: High school diploma with strong math and science
High school subjects: Calculus, chemistry, fluid mechanics, environmental engineering fundamentals

Master's degree

1 to 2 years

Master's degree in environmental engineering

Offers advanced coursework helpful for specialized, research, or senior engineering positions.

Entry requirements: Bachelor's degree in engineering or science
High school subjects: Advanced contaminant transport, environmental biotechnology, air pollution control

License

About 4 years of work experience

Professional Engineer license

Required for engineers who approve public plans or offer services to the public, earned after passing the FE exam, gaining work experience, and passing the PE exam.

Entry requirements: Engineering degree and passing the FE exam
High school subjects: Professional practice, engineering ethics, discipline-specific principles

Profile

Skills & personality

Is this a good fit for you?

Hard skills

Water and wastewater treatment designDesigning filtration, chemical dosing, and biological treatment facilities for drinking water and wastewater.
Environmental regulations such as the Clean Water ActApplying federal, state, and local environmental standards to industrial operations and infrastructure plans.
Site assessment and remediationPlanning cleanup operations and monitoring programs for properties with contaminated soil or groundwater.
Hydraulic and air quality modelingUsing specialized software to simulate fluid flows, pollutant dispersion, and treatment capacity.
CAD and GIS softwareCreating detailed engineering blueprints and mapping environmental data across geographic areas.
Technical report writingDrafting permit filings, remediation plans, and environmental impact assessments for clients and regulators.

Soft skills

Problem solvingDeveloping creative and compliant engineering answers to complex pollution and contamination issues.
CommunicationExplaining complex technical data and regulatory findings clearly to clients, regulators, and the public.
Project managementKeeping multi-stage remediation and design projects on schedule and within defined budgets.
Attention to detailVerifying precision in engineering calculations, technical drawings, and legal permit forms.

Is this a good fit for you?

✓
AnalyticalEnjoys examining laboratory data, flow calculations, and complex site histories systematically.
✓
ConscientiousMaintains a strong focus on public health standards, environmental safety, and regulatory compliance.
✓
AdaptableTransitions smoothly between quiet desk-based modeling work and active outdoor site inspections.
✓
Detail-orientedScrutinizes technical specifications and sampling measurements to prevent design errors.
✓
CollaborativeWorks constructively alongside interdisciplinary engineering teams, contractors, and public officials.

Market

Job market & outlook

What does the market look like?

Openings per year

2,300

Trend

Growth

+6.3%

AI impact

4/10

AI and modeling software speed up data analysis and report drafting, while engineering judgment, site work and signing off on designs stay human.

Regional demand

Massachusetts

Demand is sustained by environmental consulting firms and coastal water quality initiatives.

10/10

Washington

Needs are driven by environmental protection policies and watershed restoration projects.

10/10

New York

Opportunities center around municipal wastewater facilities and urban remediation projects.

7/10

California

Demand is supported by extensive water infrastructure and state environmental compliance programs.

5/10

Texas

Demand is driven by industrial facilities, energy production, and water resource management.

3/10

Growth

Career paths

Where can this profession take you?

Vertical growth

Engineer in training (EIT)
0-4 years
Entry-level engineers assist with data analysis, drafting, and site visits under senior supervision after passing the FE exam.
Licensed environmental engineer
4-8 years
Fully licensed professionals stamp drawings, lead system design, and manage regulatory filings independently.
Senior engineer or project manager
8-12 years
Experienced leaders direct project teams, handle client relations, and oversee large project budgets.
Engineering manager or principal
12+ years
Executive engineers manage entire departments, guide corporate strategy, and secure major client contracts.

Horizontal move

Civil engineer
Transition into designing broader municipal infrastructure, land development, and transportation projects.
View Civil Engineer
Safety engineer
Move into managing workplace hazard control, system safety reviews, and industrial compliance programs.
View Safety Engineer
Sustainability project manager
Apply environmental expertise to guide corporate sustainability plans, resource reduction, and reporting.

Good to know

Practical info

Working hours: Most environmental engineers work full time, with occasional overtime to meet project or permit deadlines. Work is mainly weekday daytime hours, with occasional early field work or site visits at short notice.
Remote work: Hybrid work is often possible for design, modeling and report writing, while site visits and inspections must be done in person.
Physical requirements: Most work is done in offices, with field visits to treatment plants, industrial sites and cleanup sites that may require protective gear.
Typical employers: Engineering consulting firms, federal, state and local government agencies, water and wastewater utilities, manufacturing and energy companies, and environmental remediation contractors.
Professional associations: American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, Water Environment Federation.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does an environmental engineer do?

Environmental engineers design systems to control pollution and protect public health. They create plans for drinking water treatment, wastewater processing, and stormwater management. Their day-to-day duties also include evaluating contaminated soil and groundwater, writing environmental permit applications, and conducting site assessments. In addition, they inspect industrial facilities and guide organizations on regulatory compliance under laws like the Clean Water Act.

What degree do you need to become an environmental engineer?

You need at least a bachelor's degree in environmental, civil, or chemical engineering. Employers prefer programs accredited by ABET, which most state licensing boards require for licensure. A standard degree takes 4 years full time and covers advanced mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Students also benefit from internships and cooperative education programs that provide hands-on experience before graduation.

Is a Professional Engineer license required?

A Professional Engineer license is required for engineers who approve public plans or offer services directly to the public. The licensing process starts by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. After gaining about 4 years of qualifying work experience as an engineer in training, candidates take the discipline-specific PE exam to earn full licensure and legal stamping authority.

What is the work environment like for an environmental engineer?

Environmental engineers split their schedule between traditional office environments and outdoor field locations. Office work involves hydraulic modeling, drafting permit applications, and reviewing project budgets. Field assignments take engineers to wastewater treatment plants, industrial facilities, and contaminated remediation sites. While visiting field sites, engineers may need to wear protective gear and complete OSHA HAZWOPER training.

Can environmental engineers work remotely?

Environmental engineers can work remotely on a hybrid schedule for specific office-based tasks. Computer modeling, CAD drafting, data analysis, and technical report writing can be handled from home. However, physical duties such as site assessments, water sampling, and industrial plant inspections require on-site presence. Most employers provide flexible arrangements combining remote office days with mandatory site visits.

What certifications are useful for environmental site work?

OSHA HAZWOPER training is essential for engineers who conduct field work on hazardous waste sites. This qualification ensures workers follow safety protocols when handling contaminated soil or groundwater. Additionally, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam allows graduates to earn the Engineer in training designation, which sets the foundation for eventual Professional Engineer licensure.

Where do environmental engineers typically work?

Environmental engineers find employment across several sectors in both public and private spheres. Common employers include engineering consulting firms, water and wastewater utilities, and environmental remediation contractors. They also work directly for federal, state, and local government agencies enforcing regulatory rules, as well as for manufacturing and energy companies managing facility waste streams and environmental compliance.

Related professions

In depth

All about environmental engineer

The background, context and details.

Daily duties and core tasks

Environmental engineers solve pollution problems. They design systems for drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment and stormwater control. When hazardous contaminants threaten soil and groundwater reservoirs, remediation engineers develop technical cleanup plans that neutralize toxic residues before hazardous chemicals reach municipal drinking wells, agricultural acreage or sensitive public wetlands. Field personnel inspect sites. They evaluate site samples to confirm that industrial facilities comply with the Clean Water Act. Engineers manage project budgets and schedules. Tight deadlines bring overtime. Early field visits happen occasionally at short notice. They prepare environmental permit applications and compliance reports.

Workplaces across sectors

Employers span several key sectors:

Engineering consulting firms
Federal, state and local government agencies
Water and wastewater utilities
Manufacturing and energy companies
Environmental remediation contractors

Consulting firms evaluate contaminated properties. Government agencies hire these engineers to enforce environmental regulations and inspect permitted industrial facilities.

Education and licensure steps

Most positions demand technical preparation. Entering the profession requires a bachelor's degree in environmental, civil or chemical engineering earned through 4 years full time of academic study. Internships give useful field experience. Most state licensing boards mandate completion of an ABET-accredited college degree program before candidates can take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to earn their credential as an Engineer in training. Earning a Professional Engineer license takes about 4 years of work experience under senior professionals. This license permits engineers to approve public plans. Those managing contaminated cleanup locations must finish OSHA HAZWOPER training before conducting hazardous waste operations on site. A master's degree taking 1 to 2 years prepares candidates for specialized engineering research.

Office work and field settings

Work is mainly weekday daytime hours. Most engineers work in offices. Hybrid work options allow engineers to perform hydraulic modeling and permit writing from home. GIS tools assist spatial analysis. Field visits require protective gear. Field visits include industrial plants and cleanup sites. While advanced modeling software speeds up technical calculations and draft reports, qualified engineers must visit facilities in person to evaluate physical site conditions and approve critical cleanup blueprints safely. Engineers advise clients on pollution. Review ABET-accredited engineering degree programs to select your college path.