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Environmental Engineers
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.
Other titles employers use
Air Pollution Control Engineer · Engineer · Engineering Consultant · Environmental Analyst · Environmental Consultant · Environmental Engineer · Environmental Remediation Specialist · Hazardous Substances Engineer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Design, or supervise the design of, systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.
- Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of land use projects on air, water, or land.
- Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, experts in law or business, or other specialists to address environmental problems.
- Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment.
- Develop proposed project objectives and targets and report to management on progress in attaining them.
- Monitor progress of environmental improvement programs.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- 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
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Building and Construction
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
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 | 3.0 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.4 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.2 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 62%
- A master's degree 33%
- A two-year degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Geographic information system
- Office suite software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation 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
- 6,500
- Job openings each year
- 450
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 8.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 6,500 | 450 | 8.3% |
| New York | 3,220 | 40 | 13.4% |
| Texas | 3,010 | 230 | 21.4% |
| Michigan | 2,790 | 190 | 8.1% |
| Colorado | 2,590 | 200 | 23.3% |
| Washington | 2,500 | 220 | 17.4% |
| Florida | 2,030 | 150 | 20.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,940 | 130 | 5.4% |
| New Jersey | 1,920 | 130 | 6.1% |
| Ohio | 1,650 | 110 | 6.5% |
| Minnesota | 1,590 | 110 | 4.6% |
| Tennessee | 1,470 | 110 | 22.5% |
| Virginia | 1,330 | 90 | 5.6% |
| Georgia | 1,140 | 80 | 8.6% |
| Illinois | 1,030 | 70 | 5.1% |
| Arizona | 1,010 | 70 | 14.8% |
| North Carolina | 980 | 70 | 15.3% |
| Wisconsin | 940 | 70 | 16.0% |
| Indiana | 830 | 60 | 12.2% |
| Alabama | 800 | 50 | 6.7% |
| South Carolina | 750 | 50 | 11.9% |
| West Virginia | 710 | 50 | 2.9% |
| Maryland | 690 | 50 | 9.5% |
| Idaho | 680 | 50 | 25.9% |
| Oregon | 670 | 50 | 19.6% |
| Missouri | 640 | 50 | 14.3% |
| Utah | 590 | 50 | 22.9% |
| Oklahoma | 580 | 40 | 7.4% |
| Louisiana | 550 | 40 | 7.8% |
| Connecticut | 500 | 40 | 11.1% |
| Massachusetts | 460 | 30 | 7.0% |
| Kentucky | 430 | 30 | 2.4% |
| Mississippi | 420 | 30 | 2.4% |
| Montana | 400 | 30 | 21.2% |
| Nebraska | 390 | 30 | 8.3% |
| Alaska | 380 | 30 | 11.8% |
| Kansas | 350 | 20 | 9.4% |
| Puerto Rico | 300 | 20 | 15.4% |
| Iowa | 250 | 20 | 4.2% |
| New Mexico | 240 | 20 | 14.3% |
| New Hampshire | 230 | 20 | 15.0% |
| Nevada | 220 | 20 | 10.0% |
| Arkansas | 210 | 20 | 23.5% |
| District of Columbia | 210 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 180 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Rhode Island | 160 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Delaware | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| Maine | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| North Dakota | 110 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 90 | 10 | 28.6% |
| South Dakota | 80 | 10 | — |
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.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
- Degrees each year
- 304
- Admit rate
- 74%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college TXTexas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 277
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college VAVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Degrees each year
- 242
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college INPurdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 242
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college ILUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Degrees each year
- 180
- Admit rate
- 44%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open college FLUniversity of Central Florida
- Degrees each year
- 197
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college NJNew Jersey Institute of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 177
- Admit rate
- 67%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college PAPennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 188
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college