Environmental Engineer

Your Fit

Income

$104K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

6.1%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Environmental Engineer?

Environmental Engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They work to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Environmental Engineer.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Environmental Engineer earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$65K per year	$80K per year	$104K per year	$131K per year	$162K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $55K above the national average.

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What does an Environmental Engineer do?

Work environment

Environmental Engineers typically work in various settings, including offices, laboratories, and industrial plants. Some may spend time outdoors at construction or environmental cleanup sites. They often work for engineering firms, government agencies, consulting services, or private corporations, and their role may involve collaborating with other engineers, scientists, and professionals.

Quick task list

Designs, plans, or performs engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards.
Analyzes scientific data and does quality-control checks.
Monitors the progress of environmental improvement programs.
Inspects industrial and municipal facilities and programs to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Advises corporations and government agencies on procedures for cleaning up contaminated sites.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Water Quality Engineering: Focusing on water treatment and pollution control.
Air Quality Engineering: Specializing in air pollution control and emissions reduction.
Waste Management Engineering: Developing systems and processes for solid and hazardous waste management.
Environmental Sustainability: Concentrating on sustainable development and green engineering solutions.
Environmental Impact Assessment: Assessing potential environmental impacts of new construction projects.

Description

Environmental Engineers play a crucial role in addressing ecological challenges, such as pollution control, waste management, and sustainable development. They combine knowledge of engineering with environmental science to develop effective solutions to environmental problems, ensuring that projects meet environmental standards and regulations. Their work often involves preparing environmental reports and managing various environmental projects.

These engineers must have a solid foundation in engineering principles, as well as a strong understanding of environmental sciences. They need to be adept in the latest technologies and practices in environmental engineering and stay updated with changing environmental laws and regulations. Environmental Engineers must also have excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively to devise efficient solutions.

The profession requires good communication skills, as these engineers often work in multidisciplinary teams and must explain complex concepts to clients and the public. They may also be involved in public education on environmental issues. The role can be diverse and dynamic, with projects ranging from designing wastewater treatment facilities to conducting environmental impact assessments for new construction projects.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Contributing to the protection and improvement of the environment.
Working on a variety of projects and challenges.
The opportunity to make a tangible difference in public health and ecological preservation.

You might make a good Environmental Engineer if you are...

Passionate about solving environmental problems and interested in sustainability.
A problem-solver with strong analytical skills.
Interested in applying scientific and engineering principles to real-world challenges.
Good at communicating complex ideas and collaborating with diverse teams.
Detail-oriented and capable of seeing projects through to completion.

Pros:

Job satisfaction from contributing to environmental protection and sustainability.
Growing demand due to increasing environmental regulations and sustainability goals.
Diverse career opportunities in various sectors.

Cons:

Can involve working in various conditions, including outdoors and in industrial settings.
Sometimes requires dealing with complex regulations and compliance issues.
May involve high responsibility and the pressure to ensure public safety and environmental protection.

How to become an Environmental Engineer

Typical education

Most Environmental Engineering positions require a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or a related field, which usually entails about 4 years of post-secondary education. Some roles, particularly those in research or academia, may require a master's degree or higher.

High school preparation

Courses:

Mathematics and Physics to build a strong foundation in engineering principles.
Biology and Chemistry to understand environmental science concepts.
Environmental Science to gain specific knowledge related to the field.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in environment-focused clubs or groups.
Engaging in science fairs or environmental projects.
Volunteering for community clean-up, recycling programs, or conservation efforts.

Preparation after high school

Obtain a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering with an environmental focus, or a related field.
Consider internships or co-op programs with engineering firms, environmental agencies, or non-profits.
Gain professional certification or licenses as required, which may involve passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.

More resources

American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) - Provides certification and resources for environmental engineers.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Offers information on environmental laws, regulations, and educational resources.
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) - Offers resources and support for professional engineers.
Engineering for Change (E4C) - A platform that provides resources and a community for engineers working on global development and sustainability.

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