Home > Career Insights > Environmental Engineer Salary
Environmental Engineer Salary & Career Insights
What is the average salary for an environmental engineer in the United States?
$100,090 per year
According to BLS.gov, the average salary for an environmental engineer in the United States is $100,090 annually. The lowest salary is $63,370 annually, and the highest is $156,530 annually.
Our salary data comes from BLS.gov. Salary data above is the median annual wage.
Job Outlook & Work Environment
Job Outlook
🚀 41,300; estimated number of environmental engineer jobs in 2023. This number is expected to grow by 2,900 new jobs between now and 2033.
☀️ The projected job outlook is expected to grow at a rate of 7% which is faster than the growth of the average career.
Work Environment
💼 Most environmental engineers work in offices and outdoor settings like construction sites.
🏢 24% of environmental engineers work in engineering services, while 18% work in management, scientific, and technical consulting services.
Environmental Engineer Salary in Comparison to Patent Law Salaries
How Does an Environmental Engineer Salary Stack Up?
The average environmental engineer earns significantly less than patent agents or patent attorneys. Patent agents typically earn $130K annually while environmental engineers earn around $100K. The difference between the pay for environmental engineers and patent attorneys is much greater. Patent attorneys, on average, earn $185K per year.
Environmental engineers who take the patent bar exam and transition to a career in patent law will end up in a much higher income bracket than those who do not.
Top Environmental Engineer Salaries by Industry
| Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil | $153,120 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $141,520 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $139,830 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying | $134,060 |
| Other Pipeline Transportation | $130,760 |
Salary by Environmental Engineer Industry
In the U.S., the average environmental engineer salary is $100,090.
Environmental engineers working in the pipeline transportation of crude oil industry earn the highest average salary at $153,120. Those in chemical manufacturing and oil and gas extraction follow, with average salaries of $141,520 and $139,830, respectively. The nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying industry offers an average salary of $134,060.
Experience & Education
Here are some typical daily activities of an environmental engineer:
- Gathering Information — Observing, receiving, and collecting data from all relevant sources.
- Working with Computers — Utilizing computer systems and software to program, develop software, configure functions, input data, and process information.
- Decision Making and Problem Solving — Assessing information and analyzing results to select the most effective solutions and resolve issues.
- Data Analysis — Breaking down information or data into components to uncover underlying principles, reasons, or facts.
- Compliance Evaluation — Applying relevant information and personal judgment to ascertain if events or processes adhere to laws, regulations, or standards.
Here are the typical skills you need to work as an environmental engineer:
- Active Listening — Fully concentrating on what others are saying, taking time to understand their points, asking relevant questions, and avoiding untimely interruptions.
- Critical Thinking — Applying logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses in different solutions, conclusions, or problem approaches.
- Monitoring — Evaluating the performance of yourself, others, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective actions.
- Reading Comprehension — Grasping the meaning of written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Speaking — Communicating effectively with others to convey information.
Knowledge required to work as an environmental engineer:
- Engineering and Technology — Understanding the practical application of engineering science and technology, including using principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment for designing and producing various goods and services.
- Design — Familiarity with design techniques, tools, and principles for creating precise technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Chemistry — Comprehension of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances, as well as the chemical processes and transformations they undergo, including the use of chemicals, their interactions, warning signs, production methods, and disposal practices.
- Mathematics — Proficiency in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their practical applications.
Average Education
According to onetonline.org, 62% of environmental engineers have a Bachelor’s degree, 29% have a Master’s degree, and 5% have an Associate’s degree.
Top Environmental Engineer Salaries by Location
Factors that Impact Pay
Environmental engineers in Midland, TX, earn the highest average salary at $141,690. Austin, TX, and San Francisco, CA, follow with average salaries of $136,970 and $136,270, respectively. Both Houston, TX, and Ventura, CA, offer an average salary of $130,590 for environmental engineers.
Environmental engineers in Texas earn the highest average salary among the states listed, at $122,980. Connecticut closely follows with an average salary of $122,930. Oregon, California, and Kansas offer average salaries of $119,090, $118,320, and $118,250, respectively.
Take a look at the average environmental engineer salaries from top-paying cities according to Bls.gov data.
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Midland, TX | $141,690 |
| Austin, TX | $136,970 |
| San Francisco, CA | $136,270 |
| Houston, TX | $130,590 |
| Ventura, CA | $130,590 |
Look at the average environmental engineer salaries from top-paying states according to Bls.gov data.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Texas | $122,980 |
| Connecticut | $122,930 |
| Oregon | $119,090 |
| California | $118,320 |
| Kansas | $118,250 |
Related Careers
Patent Agent
Patent agents practice patent law before the USPTO.
Average of $130,168/year
Patent Attorney
Patent attorneys can practice patent law in addition to practicing law in jurisdictions where they are currently admitted.
Average of $185,351/year
Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineers plan and design tools, machines, and other mechanical equipment.
Average of $99,510/year