Environmental engineer

What does an environmental engineer do?

• Design water supply, wastewater treatment and drainage systems.
• Plan ways to clean up contaminated land and groundwater.
• Measure and model pollution in air, water and soil.
• Help industrial sites reduce emissions and waste so that they meet environmental laws.
• Prepare environmental assessments and permit applications for new projects.
• Design waste management and recycling facilities.
• Advise clients on climate risks such as flooding and water shortages.

Where do they work?

Environmental engineers work for engineering consultancies, water and waste companies, manufacturing and energy firms, environmental regulators and local governments. Some work for international development organisations on water and sanitation projects. The work mixes office-based design and reporting with visits to treatment plants, factories, landfill sites or contaminated land. Fieldwork can involve protective equipment and outdoor conditions. Hours are usually regular, although emergencies such as floods or pollution incidents can change this.

What skills do you need?

• Water and wastewater engineering
• Environmental chemistry and biology
• Hydraulics and hydrology
• Knowledge of environmental law and permits
• Modelling and data analysis
• Geographic information systems (GIS)
• Report writing
• Project management

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• advise on environmental remediation
• conduct environmental surveys
• abide by regulations on banned materials
• perform scientific research
• analyse environmental data
• adjust engineering designs
• develop environmental remediation strategies
• process customer requests based on the REACh Regulation 1907 2006
• carry out environmental audits
• approve engineering design
• use technical drawing software
• ensure compliance with safety legislation

Essential knowledge: technical drawings · engineering processes · chemistry · civil engineering · biology · radiation protection · pollution prevention · environmental engineering

How do you become an environmental engineer?

Most environmental engineers have a degree in environmental, civil or chemical engineering. Some universities offer environmental engineering as a first degree, while in other countries you specialise through options within civil or chemical engineering or through a master's. Accredited degrees make professional registration easier later. Internships with consultancies, water companies or regulators are valuable. Environmental science graduates can move into engineering-related roles through a master's in environmental engineering, but some design and signing-off work is limited to qualified engineers.

1. Engineering degree. An accredited degree in environmental, civil or chemical engineering covers fluid mechanics, water treatment, environmental chemistry, soil mechanics and design. Civil engineering is the most common starting point for water and drainage roles, while chemical engineering suits treatment processes and industrial pollution control. Accreditation helps with later professional registration.
2. Science degree and master's. Graduates in environmental science, chemistry, geology or geography can take a master's in environmental engineering or water management. This route leads into consultancy, regulation and monitoring roles. For design roles and professional registration, employers may still prefer an accredited engineering degree.
3. Technician or apprenticeship route. In some countries you can start as a water or environmental technician through vocational training or an apprenticeship with a water company or consultancy. With experience and part-time study, technicians can move into engineering roles. This route is slower, but it gives you strong practical knowledge of treatment plants and monitoring systems.

Degrees that lead to this career

• Civil engineering

  A civil engineering degree teaches how to design, build and maintain the structures and systems that communities depend on, such as roads, bridges, railways, buildings, water supply and flood defences.

  6 linked careers

• Chemical engineering

  A chemical engineering degree teaches how to turn raw materials into useful products on a large scale, safely and efficiently, using chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology.

  4 linked careers

• Environmental science

  An environmental science degree studies how the natural world works and how human activity affects air, water, soil, wildlife and climate.

  6 linked careers

• Geology

  A geology degree studies the Earth: its rocks, minerals, fossils and structure, and the processes that shape it, from volcanoes and earthquakes to groundwater and past climates.

  4 linked careers

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Do you need a licence to work as an environmental engineer?

Working as an environmental engineer is usually open, but signing off designs and using certain titles are regulated in many countries. In the United States, a state Professional Engineer (PE) licence is needed to seal designs such as public water and wastewater systems. In the UK, Chartered Engineer or Chartered Environmentalist status is voluntary but valued. In Canada, only licensed engineers may use the title "engineer". Environmental permits for projects are a separate legal requirement. Check with the regulator in your country.

How much does an environmental engineer earn?

Pay in the United States

• $107,110Median annual wage, May 2025
• $69,990–$162,220Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 38.3KPeople employed in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 17-2081, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes environmental engineer and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. Graduate environmental engineer
2. Environmental engineer
3. Senior environmental engineer
4. Principal engineer or technical director
5. Associate or partner in a consultancy

Job outlook

Demand is driven by stricter environmental rules, climate change, water shortages, ageing water networks and the need to clean up polluted sites. Growth areas include flood management, water reuse, cutting carbon emissions from industry and recycling. Much of the work depends on government regulation and public spending, so policy changes can affect hiring. Engineers who combine design skills with knowledge of regulations and data are likely to stay in demand.

Questions about becoming an environmental engineer

What is the difference between an environmental engineer and an environmental scientist?

Environmental scientists study natural systems and measure pollution, often through fieldwork and laboratory analysis. Environmental engineers use that knowledge to design solutions, such as treatment plants, drainage systems or clean-up methods. The two often work in the same teams. Engineers usually need an engineering degree, while scientists come from subjects such as environmental science, biology, chemistry or geology.

Is environmental engineering a good career?

It can be a good choice if you want to use engineering to protect health and nature. The work is needed everywhere, from water supply in growing cities to pollution control in industry. Many jobs depend on regulation and public investment, so demand can vary between countries and over time. Strong civil or chemical engineering skills keep your options open.

Can I become an environmental engineer with a civil engineering degree?

Yes. Civil engineering is one of the most common routes, especially for water supply, wastewater, drainage and flood management. Choose modules in water, ground engineering and environmental engineering if you can. A master's, or a graduate job with a water company or environmental consultancy, can help you specialise.

Do environmental engineers work outdoors?

Some of the time. Most design and reporting work happens in an office, but many roles include site visits to treatment works, factories, landfill sites, rivers or contaminated land. Early-career engineers often do more fieldwork, such as sampling and site inspections. The amount of outdoor work depends on the employer and the type of project.

Related careers

• Civil engineer

  Civil engineers plan, design and oversee the building and upkeep of roads, bridges, railways, tunnels, water systems, dams and large buildings.

  Degree required

• Environmental scientist

  Environmental scientists study the natural world and how human activity affects it.

  Degree required

• Chemical engineer

  Chemical engineers design and run the processes that turn raw materials into useful products such as fuels, medicines, plastics, food, fertilisers and clean water.

  Degree required

• Urban planner

  Urban planners decide how land in cities, towns and regions should be used, balancing housing, transport, jobs, public services and the environment.

  Degree usually needed

Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 17-2081, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2143.1

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become an environmental engineer: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/environmental-engineer/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

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