Environmental Engineers
Additional Information
Duties
Engineers in this field often focus on the following:
- Prepare, evaluate, and revise environmental investigation reports as appropriate.
- Environmentally friendly initiatives, such as water reclamation and air pollution management, should be designed.
- Keep track of and update your plans, permits and operating procedures.
- Support legal and environmental cleanup efforts with expert technical assistance.
- Perform data analysis and quality assurance checks on scientific data.
- Keep track of the progress made in implementing environmental improvement initiatives.
- Conduct environmental compliance inspections of commercial and municipal facilities and programs.
- Instruct companies and government organizations on how to clean up hazardous areas.
They conduct hazardous-waste evaluations and provide recommendations for controlling and handling hazardous waste. In addition, they develop water supply and wastewater treatment systems for municipal and industrial use and conduct environmental impact studies on potential building projects. Government environmental engineers establish policies to thwart disasters.
Some environmental engineers are working on strategies to reduce the consequences of acid rain, climate change, automotive emissions, and ozone depletion. On top of that, they work together with other professionals such as ecologists and environmental lawyers and businessmen to handle environmental issues and ensure the sustainability of the environment. See the employment descriptions on environmental scientists and specialists, hazardous materials cleanup employees, attorneys, and regional planners for additional information.
Environmental engineers combine engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to find answers to environmental issues. Recycling, waste disposal and public health are among the areas where they focus their efforts. Global concerns such as hazardous drinking water, climate change and environmental sustainability are also addressed.
Education
An engineering bachelor's degree is often needed for entry-level positions in environmental engineering. Academic, lab, and field work are all included in the programs. Cooperative education is a type of study that some colleges and universities provide, allowing students to complete their coursework while also gaining real-world experience. Students may also decide to take part in internships.
A student may choose to participate in a 5-year program that grants both a bachelor's and a master's degree at several institutions and universities. With a graduate degree, an engineer can conduct research and development, teach at various colleges and universities, and some firms favor hiring applicants with master's degrees.
High school courses in chemistry, biology, physics, and arithmetic, including algebra, trigonometry, and calculus, should be taken by those interested in pursuing a career as an environmental engineer.
Pay
The median annual wage for environmental engineers was $104,170 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $64,950, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $161,910.
Job Projections
Employment of environmental engineers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.