Air Quality Engineers

Employers

In May 2023, approximately 39,880 environmental engineers, including air quality engineers, were employed in the United States. Many air quality engineers are privately employed in industries subject to emissions control, such as manufacturing. They may also work for the federal government, investigating and ensuring compliance with air quality regulations, as consultants to industry and large companies, and in research and development.

Starting Out

Summer positions as an air pollution control technician provide valuable insight into the engineer's job, contacts, and experience. Check with local and state EPA offices and larger consulting firms in your area for internship positions and their requirements. Engineers interested in environmental issues can volunteer for citizen watchdog group monitoring programs, patrolling regions for previously undiscovered or unregulated contaminates. Most air quality engineers can expect to get jobs immediately after graduating with a bachelor's degree. Your school's career services office can assist you in fine-tuning your resume and setting up interviews with potential employers. Government positions are a common entry point; high turnover rates open positions as experienced engineers leave for the more lucrative private sector. An entry-level job might focus on monitoring and analysis.