Environmental Engineers
Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
- O*NET-SOC code
17-2081.00 - Preparation Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$107,110
Employment, U.S.38,340
Median hourly wage$51.50
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $69,990 | $83,570 | $107,110 | $134,420 | $162,220 |
By state (50)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 780 | $102,650 | 1.50 |
| Alaska | 260 | $110,220 | 3.28 |
| Arizona | 690 | $93,970 | 0.86 |
| Arkansas | 210 | $85,280 | 0.67 |
| California | 4,550 | $130,410 | 1.01 |
| Colorado | 1,320 | $106,890 | 1.86 |
| Connecticut | 450 | $114,710 | 1.07 |
| Delaware | 150 | $95,720 | 1.23 |
| Florida | 1,800 | $116,840 | 0.73 |
| Georgia | 830 | $96,530 | 0.69 |
| Hawaii | 150 | $107,880 | 0.94 |
| Idaho | 400 | $117,520 | 1.89 |
| Illinois | 940 | $107,990 | 0.62 |
| Indiana | 520 | $92,460 | 0.66 |
| Iowa | 150 | $94,830 | 0.38 |
| Kansas | 320 | $94,070 | 0.90 |
| Kentucky | 350 | $107,520 | 0.70 |
| Louisiana | 340 | $130,510 | 0.72 |
| Maine | 220 | $93,930 | 1.38 |
| Maryland | 1,030 | $97,570 | 1.51 |
| Massachusetts | 1,880 | $115,800 | 2.09 |
| Michigan | 810 | $105,080 | 0.74 |
| Minnesota | 1,080 | $115,750 | 1.49 |
| Mississippi | 260 | $91,100 | 0.92 |
| Missouri | 510 | $98,170 | 0.70 |
| Montana | 300 | $100,140 | 2.42 |
| Nebraska | 270 | $120,620 | 1.08 |
| Nevada | 290 | $109,720 | 0.77 |
| New Hampshire | 210 | $88,610 | 1.25 |
| New Jersey | 990 | $102,630 | 0.94 |
| New Mexico | 500 | $108,360 | 2.35 |
| New York | 3,170 | $101,270 | 1.33 |
| North Carolina | $99,440 | ||
| North Dakota | 90 | $91,370 | 0.85 |
| Ohio | 730 | $113,180 | 0.53 |
| Oklahoma | 530 | $92,090 | 1.26 |
| Oregon | 650 | $127,100 | 1.35 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,750 | $103,330 | 1.17 |
| Rhode Island | 200 | $101,140 | 1.61 |
| South Carolina | 560 | $96,140 | 0.99 |
| South Dakota | 90 | $98,890 | 0.83 |
| Tennessee | 540 | $97,190 | 0.67 |
| Texas | 1,940 | $123,060 | 0.56 |
| Utah | 410 | $103,380 | 0.96 |
| Vermont | 110 | $92,580 | 1.45 |
| Virginia | 1,010 | $104,940 | 1.00 |
| Washington | 1,920 | $125,460 | 2.19 |
| West Virginia | 370 | $83,200 | 2.14 |
| Wisconsin | 890 | $89,990 | 1.22 |
| Wyoming | 200 | $106,330 | 2.92 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water Resource Specialists | 4 | 0.983 |
| 2 | Water/Wastewater Engineers | 4 | 0.976 |
| 3 | Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers | 4 | 0.970 |
| 4 | Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 4 | 0.968 |
| 5 | Wind Energy Engineers | 4 | 0.966 |
| 6 | Nuclear Engineers | 4 | 0.966 |
| 7 | Agricultural Engineers | 4 | 0.962 |
| 8 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | 5 | 0.961 |
| 9 | Civil Engineers | 4 | 0.961 |
| 10 | Transportation Engineers | 4 | 0.959 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Environmental Engineers, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water/Wastewater Engineers | Operations Analysis | 1.38 | 0.976 |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | Operations Analysis | 1.50 | 0.968 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | Operations Analysis | 1.12 | 0.966 |
| Civil Engineers | Operations Analysis | 2.00 | 0.961 |
| Landscape Architects | Operations Analysis | 1.25 | 0.948 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | Management of Financial Resources | 1.37 | 0.945 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | Quality Control Analysis | 0.76 | 0.944 |
| Validation Engineers | Operations Analysis | 1.50 | 0.942 |
| Fuel Cell Engineers | Troubleshooting | 2.00 | 0.928 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Environmental Engineers, excluding software Environmental Engineers already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Autodesk Revit | 9 of 20 | 10.4x |
| Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software | 8 of 20 | 6.0x |
| Dassault Systemes SolidWorks | 7 of 20 | 5.6x |
| National Instruments LabVIEW | 7 of 20 | 5.2x |
| Bentley InRoads Suite | 3 of 20 | 46.2x |
| PTC Creo Parametric | 6 of 20 | 6.4x |
| HEC-1 | 3 of 20 | 34.6x |
| SKM Systems Analysis Power Tools | 3 of 20 | 34.6x |
| Oracle Primavera Systems | 4 of 20 | 14.2x |
| Geographic information system GIS software | 7 of 20 | 4.6x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 4.00 | 4.75 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 4.00 | 3.88 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 3.75 | 4.12 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 3.38 | 4.00 |
| Science | Essential skill | 3.38 | 4.00 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 4.12 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.88 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.75 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.25 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 3.00 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.88 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.38 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 1.00 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.88 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering and Technology | 4.95 | 6.24 |
| Design | 4.62 | 6.10 |
| Chemistry | 4.05 | 5.00 |
| Mathematics | 4.00 | 5.24 |
| Building and Construction | 3.86 | 4.86 |
| English Language | 3.81 | 4.86 |
| Physics | 3.76 | 5.05 |
| Biology | 3.62 | 4.86 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.62 | 4.67 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.60 | 4.75 |
| Law and Government | 3.40 | 3.81 |
| Mechanical | 3.33 | 4.38 |
| Administration and Management | 3.29 | 4.33 |
| Economics and Accounting | 3.10 | 3.52 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.05 | 4.05 |
| Education and Training | 3.00 | 4.24 |
| Sales and Marketing | 2.90 | 3.86 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 2.65 | 3.38 |
| Geography | 2.62 | 4.05 |
| Communications and Media | 2.45 | 2.43 |
| Administrative | 2.43 | 3.29 |
| Production and Processing | 2.38 | 2.57 |
| Telecommunications | 2.38 | 2.00 |
| Transportation | 2.19 | 2.43 |
| Psychology | 1.95 | 2.05 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.71 | 1.48 |
| History and Archeology | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.40 | 0.90 |
| Foreign Language | 1.35 | 1.00 |
| Food Production | 1.33 | not rated |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.19 | not rated |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.14 | not rated |
| Fine Arts | 1.10 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.88 |
| Written Expression | 4.00 | 4.88 |
| Written Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.75 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 4.00 | 4.50 |
| Oral Expression | 4.00 | 4.38 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 3.75 | 4.12 |
| Information Ordering | 3.62 | 4.12 |
| Originality | 3.62 | 4.00 |
| Near Vision | 3.62 | 3.88 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.62 | 3.88 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.62 | 3.88 |
| Number Facility | 3.25 | 3.50 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 3.12 | 3.88 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.12 | 3.75 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Visualization | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Memorization | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Selective Attention | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Far Vision | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Time Sharing | 2.75 | 2.50 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| Trunk Strength | 1.88 | 1.12 |
| Auditory Attention | 1.75 | 1.38 |
| Depth Perception | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 1.75 | 0.88 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 1.62 | 1.12 |
| Finger Dexterity | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Spatial Orientation | 1.12 | not rated |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 1.00 | not rated |
| Control Precision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.00 | not rated |
| Dynamic Strength | 1.00 | not rated |
| Explosive Strength | 1.00 | not rated |
| Extent Flexibility | 1.00 | not rated |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.00 | not rated |
| Gross Body Coordination | 1.00 | not rated |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 1.00 | not rated |
| Manual Dexterity | 1.00 | not rated |
| Multilimb Coordination | 1.00 | not rated |
| Night Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Rate Control | 1.00 | not rated |
| Reaction Time | 1.00 | not rated |
| Response Orientation | 1.00 | not rated |
| Sound Localization | 1.00 | not rated |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.00 | not rated |
| Stamina | 1.00 | not rated |
| Static Strength | 1.00 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Autodesk AutoCAD in demand
- Microsoft Excel in demand
- Microsoft Office software in demand
- Microsoft PowerPoint in demand
- Microsoft Word in demand
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D hot
- Bentley MicroStation hot
- C++ hot
- ESRI ArcGIS software hot
- Microsoft Access hot
- Microsoft Project hot
- Python hot
- SAS hot
- The MathWorks MATLAB hot
- ANSYS simulation software
- Air dispersion modeling software
- Business software applications
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- Continuous emission management software
- DHI Water and Environment MIKE SHE
- ESRI ArcView
- Ecological risk assessment software
- Eko
- Environmental health and safety documentation software
- Finite element method FEM software
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Fugitive emission leak detection software
- Gas dispersion model software
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
All 54
- Greenhouse gas management software
- HEC-RAS
- Hazardous materials management HMS software
- Hydrologic simulation program fortan HSPF software
- Image analysis software
- Insightful S-PLUS
- LINDO Systems optimization modeling software
- Maplesoft Maple
- Material safety data sheet MSDS software
- Oil mapping software
- Photogrammetric software
- Regulatory compliance management software
- RockWare MODFLOW
- Rockwell Automation Arena
- Simulation software
- Simultaneous location and mapping SLAM
- Site remediation management software
- SofTech CADRA
- Stormwater runoff modeling software
- WAM software
- Waste management software
- Water flow modeling software
- Wind flow modeling software
- XP Software XPSWMM
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 390 | 12.12 | $140,060 |
| Charleston, WV | 200 | 8.01 | Not available |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 190 | 5.83 | $108,240 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 320 | 5.41 | $92,150 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 570 | 5.15 | $96,540 |
| Springfield, IL | 120 | 4.63 | $103,190 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,200 | 4.50 | $133,240 |
| Montgomery, AL | 160 | 3.99 | $95,370 |
| Anchorage, AK | 160 | 3.61 | $106,870 |
| Syracuse, NY | 220 | 2.93 | $94,330 |