Environmental Engineers

Environmental engineers design, build, and maintain systems to control waste streams produced by municipalities or private industry. Such waste streams may be wastewater, solid waste, hazardous waste, or contaminated emissions to the atmosphere (air pollution). Some environmental engineers study ways to minimize the effects of automobile emissions, acid rain, global warming, and ozone depletion. They also address "big picture" issues such as climate change, environmental sustainability, and water conservation. Environmental engineers typically are employed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), by state or local environmental protection agencies, by private industry, or by engineering consulting firms. There are approximately 55,400 environmental engineers employed in the United States. Environmental engineers may also be known as public health engineers, sanitary engineers, and waste management engineers.

Salary Range

$50,000 to $100,000+

Minimum Education Level

Bachelor's Degree

Certification/License

Required

Outlook

About as Fast as the Average

Personality Traits

Hands On

Realistic

Scientific

Career Ladder

Engineering Manager or Professor of Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineer

Junior Engineer or Environmental Technician