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Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.
Other titles employers use
Air Quality Instrument Specialist · Engineer Technician · Environmental Engineering Assistant · Environmental Engineering Technician · Environmental Field Technician · Environmental Technician · Haz Tech (Hazardous Technician) · Air Analysis Engineering Technician
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Maintain project logbook records or computer program files.
- Record laboratory or field data, including numerical data, test results, photographs, or summaries of visual observations.
- Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings.
- Produce environmental assessment reports, tabulating data and preparing charts, graphs, or sketches.
- Collect and analyze pollution samples, such as air or ground water.
- Decontaminate or test field equipment used to clean or test pollutants from soil, air, or water.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Speaking
- Science
Subjects to know
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Chemistry
Useful strengths
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.5 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.7 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.8 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for an associate degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 67%
- A certificate or some college 15%
- High school or less 11%
- A master's degree 6%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Geographic information system
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,400
- Job openings each year
- 130
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 7.7%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,400 | 130 | 7.7% |
| Texas | 810 | 80 | 17.4% |
| Georgia | 720 | 70 | 7.5% |
| Tennessee | 690 | 70 | 23.2% |
| Florida | 590 | 60 | 15.7% |
| Colorado | 580 | 60 | 16.0% |
| Washington | 530 | 60 | 15.2% |
| New Jersey | 520 | 50 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 520 | 50 | 2.0% |
| Indiana | 500 | 50 | 8.7% |
| Ohio | 490 | 40 | 2.1% |
| New York | 450 | 0 | 9.8% |
| Missouri | 430 | 40 | 4.9% |
| Kentucky | 410 | 40 | −2.4% |
| Oklahoma | 410 | 40 | — |
| Alaska | 270 | 30 | 12.5% |
| Michigan | 270 | 20 | — |
| Louisiana | 260 | 20 | 4.0% |
| South Carolina | 260 | 20 | 13.0% |
| Puerto Rico | 240 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Wisconsin | 240 | 20 | 4.3% |
| Maryland | 230 | 20 | 9.5% |
| Utah | 220 | 20 | 15.8% |
| Virginia | 200 | 20 | −4.8% |
| Connecticut | 180 | 20 | 5.9% |
| Alabama | 170 | 10 | 6.3% |
| North Carolina | 170 | 20 | 6.3% |
| Arkansas | 160 | 10 | — |
| Massachusetts | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| Montana | 130 | 10 | 18.2% |
| Arizona | 120 | 10 | — |
| West Virginia | 110 | 10 | — |
| Nebraska | 100 | 10 | — |
| Nevada | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| New Mexico | 100 | 10 | — |
| Iowa | 70 | 10 | — |
| Kansas | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Mississippi | 70 | 10 | — |
| Idaho | 60 | 10 | — |
| North Dakota | 60 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 50 | 10 | — |
| New Hampshire | 50 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 50 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
- Degrees each year
- 176
- Admit rate
- 75%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Appalachian State University
- Degrees each year
- 55
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Eastern Kentucky University
- Degrees each year
- 101
- Admit rate
- 78%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Keene State College
- Degrees each year
- 62
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
University of California-Santa Barbara
- Degrees each year
- 62
- Admit rate
- 28%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Central Missouri
- Degrees each year
- 54
- Admit rate
- 69%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Murray State University
- Degrees each year
- 48
- Admit rate
- 86%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
- Degrees each year
- 15
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Compare every college offering environmental control technologies/technicians