Environmental Engineer

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Work Tasks

• Use biology and chemistry to solve problems of pollution control, recycling, and waste disposal
• Do research and find better ways to deal with pollution and waste
• Design water supply systems and wastewater systems
• Study acid rain, global warming, and auto emissions
• Work indoors in offices and outdoors at field sites; for professional, scientific, and technical services, manufacturing industries, and for the government
• Work with computers, monitoring instruments, surveys, assessments, and analyses of land, water, noise, and air quality

Salary, Size & Growth

• $87,000 average per year ($41.75 per hour)
• A medium occupation (49,800 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (3.1% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in engineering
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree or higher in environmental engineering.