Quick answer
Environmental engineering grads design water and wastewater systems, manage air-quality and waste programs, and clean up contaminated sites, mostly for consulting firms, utilities and government. BLS reports a median of $104,170 for environmental engineers. A Professional Engineer (PE) license raises pay and responsibility.
Environmental engineering applies engineering, chemistry and biology to problems like drinking water, wastewater, air pollution, hazardous waste and stormwater. It attracts students who care about the environment and are strong in math and science.
It is an engineering degree first, which shapes the jobs and the pay. Below are the main career paths. If your teen is weighing a science-focused environmental degree instead, see our environmental science careers guide.
What Jobs Can You Get With an Environmental Engineering Degree?
Pay figures are national medians (the middle wage, not the average) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Half of workers earn more and half earn less. Our calculators and Continuum chart use BLS averages (means), which are usually higher, so their numbers may not match these.
1. Environmental Engineer (Consulting)
Designs treatment systems, writes permits and plans cleanups for clients. BLS environmental engineers earn a median $104,170 (middle half earns $80,510–$130,830).
2. Water or Wastewater Engineer
Designs and runs systems for cities and utilities. Many of these roles are classified as civil engineers, who earn a BLS median $99,590.
3. Air Quality or Compliance Engineer
Helps factories and power plants meet air and waste rules. BLS compliance officers earn a median $78,420; engineering-titled roles usually pay more.
4. Remediation Engineer
Plans the cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater at old industrial sites.
5. Government Engineer or Regulator
Works for state environmental agencies, the EPA or city utilities, reviewing permits and enforcing rules. Government jobs often pay less than consulting but offer stable hours and benefits.
6. Environmental Scientist
Some grads move to the science and field-sampling side. BLS environmental scientists and specialists earn a median $80,060.
7. Urban and Regional Planner
Plans land use, stormwater and growth for communities. BLS: median $83,720; many roles prefer a master's.
How Much Do Environmental Engineering Majors Make?
| Career | Median pay | Middle 50% range | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental engineering technician | $58,890 | $48,250–$75,290 | Associate |
| Compliance officer | $78,420 | $59,130–$104,800 | Bachelor's |
| Environmental scientist | $80,060 | $62,090–$103,730 | Bachelor's |
| Urban and regional planner | $83,720 | $66,210–$104,450 | Master's common |
| Civil engineer | $99,590 | $78,790–$128,290 | Bachelor's (PE for senior roles) |
| Environmental engineer | $104,170 | $80,510–$130,830 | Bachelor's (PE for senior roles) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 national estimates. The middle 50% is the 25th to 75th percentile. Pay varies by state, employer and experience.
What Do Environmental Engineering Majors Study?
Expect the engineering core (calculus, differential equations, physics, statics, fluid mechanics, programming) plus chemistry and biology, then water and wastewater treatment, hydrology, air pollution control, solid and hazardous waste, and environmental law, with a senior design project. Choose an ABET-accredited program. The usual license path is to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam near graduation, work about four years under a licensed engineer, then pass the PE exam.
Is an Environmental Engineering Degree Worth It?
MajorMatch's Environmental Engineering Loan vs Upside calculator starts from Continuum wages of about $85,000 early-career and $136,000 mid-career. At its default $50,000 loan (6.5% for 10 years), total repayment is about $68,129, against an estimated lifetime earnings gain of about $2,244,108 over a high-school-only path, about 32.9 times the loan cost. It is an illustration, not a promise, and you can change every input.
The numbers are strong, and the work is driven by laws that require clean water and air, which keeps demand steady. It is a smaller field than civil or mechanical engineering, and many environmental engineers end up in civil-titled roles, which is fine for pay and stability.
How Will AI Affect Environmental Engineering Careers?
MajorMatch's AI-Proof Career Check (part of the assessment results) estimates what share of a job's tasks AI tools could significantly speed up or automate. It measures exposure, not a forecast of job loss. Environmental engineers score 53%. Keeping records and writing technical reports are the most exposed tasks. Testing materials and structures and monitoring activities that affect environmental quality stay human. Engineers still sign and stamp the designs, and that responsibility doesn't move to software.
Is Environmental Engineering the Right Major for Your Teen?
Environmental engineering fits students who are strong in math and chemistry and want to solve practical problems that protect health and nature. If your teen prefers fieldwork and science over calculus, compare environmental science. If they like building big systems, compare civil engineering. The free MajorMatch assessment uses our own proprietary scoring method to compare your student's strengths and interests with all 100 majors, including environmental engineering, and shows their top 3 for free. Take the assessment before you commit to a program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do environmental engineers make?
BLS reports a median of $104,170 for environmental engineers (May 2024), with the middle half earning $80,510 to $130,830.
Is environmental engineering a good major?
Yes for students strong in math and science. Pay is high and demand is tied to environmental laws, which keeps it steady.
Is environmental engineering a STEM major?
Yes. It is an engineering degree, with calculus, physics, chemistry and engineering design at its core.
Do environmental engineers need a PE license?
Not for entry-level jobs, but senior design roles and anyone who signs off on plans usually need one.
Where do environmental engineers work?
Mostly at engineering consulting firms, utilities, manufacturers and government agencies.
Will AI replace environmental engineers?
MajorMatch's AI-Proof Career Check rates environmental engineers at 53% task exposure. Reports and records are most exposed; testing, monitoring and signing designs remain human.