Water/Wastewater Engineers

Environmental engineers will have 3 percent employment growth, about as fast as the average for all occupations, through 2029, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Job opportunities for water/wastewater engineers will continue to be good due to the increased focus on using water efficiently. There will be employment opportunities for environmental engineers in professional, scientific, and technical services. Utility companies and water treatment plants will also need water/wastewater engineers to help them comply with environmental regulations. Another reason for job growth in this field is the government's requirements for clean-ups at contaminated sites. Engineers are also needed to help design and monitor systems that use and dispose of massive volumes of water from shale gas drilling. Water/wastewater engineers with a master's degree in environmental engineering, professional engineering licensure, and prior work experience will have the best job prospects.