Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Environmental engineers work at the intersection of science, technology, and problem solving. This career offers a national median annual salary of $104,170, with about 39,000 people employed across the country. Employment is projected to grow by 3.9%, and there are about 3,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing demand for new professionals. The role draws heavily on science and mathematics, along with critical and analytical thinking and strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Success in this field also relies on project management, leadership, and effective speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills, often supported by computers and information technology. Creativity and innovation are important for developing and improving solutions. For students, career changers, and experienced professionals, environmental engineering can offer a blend of technical work and leadership opportunities, especially for those comfortable with quantitative analysis, communication, and managing complex projects over time.
Environmental engineers earn a national median annual salary of $104,170, indicating strong earning potential. Salaries vary meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, California shows a median salary of $130,410, and Washington offers $125,460, both notably higher than the national median. Massachusetts and Colorado also provide six-figure median salaries at $115,800 and $106,890, respectively, while New York’s median stands at $101,270. Metro areas display additional variation: the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro reports a median salary of $138,840, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA comes in at $125,550. Other high-paying metros include Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $120,580 and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $107,910. These differences suggest that location choices can significantly influence earnings within this career.
Environmental engineering offers a stable employment outlook based on the available data. National employment stands at about 39,000, with projected employment growth of 3.9%. This same 3.9% growth rate is also reflected in top states and metro areas by opportunity score, indicating consistent projected growth across multiple regions. With an estimated 3,000 annual openings nationwide, there is regular movement in the job market from new positions, turnover, and other changes. States such as California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington, and metros like San Jose, New York-Newark-Jersey City, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, all combine this projected growth rate with varying levels of employment and salaries. For students and job seekers, these figures point to a field with ongoing hiring needs and measurable growth rather than a static or shrinking occupation.
Location can significantly shape career options for environmental engineers. Among the top states by opportunity score, California leads with a score of 67.38, a median salary of $130,410, and employment of 4,550, making it a large and high-paying market. Massachusetts and New York follow with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78, offering median salaries of $115,800 and $101,270 and employment levels of 1,880 and 3,170, respectively. Colorado and Washington also appear strong, each with more than 1,300 employed and six-figure median salaries, especially Washington at $125,460. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ stand out with opportunity scores above 77. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA offers the highest listed metro median salary at $138,840. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria and Boston-Cambridge-Newton combine sizable employment with strong salaries, giving job seekers multiple geographic options to consider.
Environmental engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the field. This educational path supports the occupation’s strong emphasis on science and mathematics, which underpin much of the technical analysis and problem solving involved. The role also requires well-developed critical and analytical thinking skills, along with the ability to make sound decisions in complex situations. Project management and leadership are important for planning, coordinating, and guiding work, while strong writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills support effective communication with a range of stakeholders. Computers and information technology are also key skills, reflecting the use of digital tools and data in this career. Creativity and innovation round out the profile, helping professionals generate and refine solutions. Students and career changers considering environmental engineering should be prepared for a bachelor’s-level academic commitment and for building this mix of technical, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
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