Median annual earnings of environmental engineers were $61,410 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $47,650 and $77,360. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,640, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $91,510. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of environmental engineers in 2002 were:
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | $58,620 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 57,800 |
| State government | 54,160 |
According to a 2003 salary survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor's degree candidates in environmental/environmental health engineering received starting offers averaging $44,702 a year.
Using the principles of biology and chemistry, environmental engineers develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in water and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, and public health issues. Environmental engineers conduct hazardous-waste management studies in which they evaluate the significance of the hazard, offer analysis on treatment and containment, and develop regulations to prevent mishaps. They design municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment systems. They conduct research on proposed environmental projects, analyze scientific data, and perform quality control checks.
Environmental engineers are concerned with local and worldwide environmental issues. They study and attempt to minimize the effects of acid rain, global warming, automobile emissions, and ozone depletion. They also are involved in the protection of wildlife.
Many environmental engineers work as consultants, helping their clients to comply with regulations and to clean up hazardous sites.
Environmental engineering graduates should have favorable job opportunities. Employment of environmental engineers is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. Much of the expected growth will be due to the emergence of this occupation as a widely recognized engineering specialty rather than as an area that other engineering specialties, such as civil engineers, specialize in. More environmental engineers will be needed to comply with environmental regulations and to develop methods of cleaning up existing hazards. A shift in emphasis toward preventing problems rather than controlling those that already exist, as well as increasing public health concerns, also will spur demand for environmental engineers. However, political factors determine the job outlook for environmental engineers more than that for other engineers. Looser environmental regulations would reduce job opportunities; stricter regulations would enhance opportunities.
Even though employment of environmental engineers should be less affected by economic conditions than that of most other types of engineers, a significant economic downturn could reduce the emphasis on environmental protection, reducing employment opportunities. Environmental engineers need to keep abreast of a range of environmental issues to ensure their steady employment because their area of focus may change frequently—for example, from hazardous waste cleanup to the prevention of water pollution.
.Further information about environmental engineering careers, training, and certification can be obtained from:
See the introduction to the section on engineers for information on working conditions, training requirements, and other sources of additional information.
Chief Engineer Officer for the Commissioned Corps CHIEF ENGINEER OFFICER RADM ROBERT C. Public Health Service RADM Robert C. He has been assigned to ATSDR since 1985, previously serving as Chief, Health Sciences Branch, and as an environmental engineer consultant. He is a member of the Governing Board of the ASCE Environment and Water Resources Institute and Board of Directors of the Society of American Military Engineers. He is the recipient of the PHS Meritorious Service Medal, Outstanding Service Medal, three Commendation Medals, an Achievement Medal and five Unit Commendation Medals.
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Currently demand is good for a wide variety of engineers involved in construction projects as large as dams and as small as studio apartments. "The job market is not as good as it was three years ago, but it's better than a year ago," reports David Bonneville, president of the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California. That means CAD operators (computer-assisted drafters) are in greater danger of losing their jobs to offshoring than engineers. Considered one of the oldest engineering disciplines, civil engineering encompasses many specialties. The Natural Choice Using the principles of biology and chemistry, environmental engineers develop solutions to problems affecting the ecosystem.
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Our network of offices provides local expertise backed by extensive national resources to service local, regional and national clients.
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to launch an immediate study and cleanup and declare the 180-square-mile area a Superfund site. Within 2 weeks of mobilization, CDM planned and implemented a program to collect, document, and ship more than 600 soil, bulk material, dust, and air samples to designated analytical laboratories. Legally defensible information management system helped secure the largest single judgment in Superfund history. The system houses, manages, reports, and visually presents collected data to support risk assessments, legal actions, property status, cleanup identifications, planning, and community communication. New residential design criteria resulted in 80-percent savings.
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They conduct research on proposed environmental projects, analyze scientific data, and perform quality control checks. Environmental engineers are concerned with local and worldwide environmental issues. Many environmental engineers work as consultants, helping their clients to comply with regulations and to clean up hazardous sites. Employment of environmental engineers is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. The middle 50 percent earned between $47,650 and $77,360.
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It is a highly-interdisciplinary field and provides opportunities for integrating mathematics, physics, hydrology, chemistry, biology and social sciences. All these topics are subject of ongoing research of faculty and graduate students at the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering. Employment of environmental engineers is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. More environmental engineers will be needed to comply with environmental regulations and to develop methods of cleaning up existing hazards. Looser environmental regulations would reduce job opportunities; stricter regulations would enhance opportunities.
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One of the largest environmental considerations was the impact on the local residents, some of whom live less than a half-mile from the new dam. The Owners kept the residents involved through design and construction using regular newsletters, meetings, and site tours, and a 24-hour hotline. Packages allowed site development and dam foundation excavation to proceed on an expedited basis, while detailed dam design, environmental permitting and regulatory review were underway. A curvilinear downstream face to minimize stresses within the dam structure under seismic conditions. Material innovation using an exposed geomembrane liner on the upstream face of the dam to provide water tightness and its ability to move and stretch with the dam during an earthquake.
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They develop ways to conserve, protect, and restore the natural resources that are damaged by human uses. They develop tests to measure the results of procedures intended to protect the environment. Work ActivitiesThe following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. Many four-year colleges and universities offer this program of study.
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They create new technologies to eliminate or control water and air pollution, and analyze and solve problems related to hazardous waste. They also develop new regulations designed to protect the public and wildlife from environmental hazards. Clearly, their work has a direct impact on our lives, and will become increasingly important as the world population grows. Learn more with an informational interview with a local employer. Environmental engineers sometimes work as professors, as officials in government regulatory agencies, or in a professional society.
Summary of: http://www3.ccps.virginia.edu/career_prospects/briefs/E-J/EngineersEnviron.shtml