Environmental Engineers

The Occupational Outlook Handbook predicts that employment for environmental engineers will grow by 7 percent, faster than the average for all careers, through 2033. Engineers will be needed to devise strategies to clean up existing hazards and help companies comply with government regulations. Employment will also grow as local and state governments rely on engineers to help increase the efficiency of water use (especially in the western United States where there are frequent water shortages), and governments at all levels hire engineers to help dispose of the massive amount of wastewater generated as a result of drilling for shale gas. The shift toward prevention of problems and protecting public health should also create job opportunities.

Jobs are available with all three major employers—the EPA (and state EPAs), industry, and consulting firms. The EPA has long been a big employer of environmental engineers.

Engineers with a master’s degree in environmental engineering and certification will have the best job prospects.