Environmental Engineering - Environmental Engineer Career

• Nature of Environmental Engineer Work
• Environmental Engineer Career Job Outlook
• Environmental Engineer Salaries

Nature of Environmental Engineer Work

Environmental engineers develop solutions to environmental problems using the principles of biology and chemistry. 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, advise on treatment and containment, and develop regulations to prevent mishaps. They design municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment systems. They conduct research on the environmental impact of proposed construction 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 may also be involved in the protection of wildlife. Many environmental engineers work as consultants, helping their clients to comply with regulations, to prevent environmental damage, and to clean up hazardous sites.

Environmental Engineer Career Job Outlook

Environmental engineers should have employment growth of 25 percent during the projections decade, much faster than the average for all occupations. 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 resulting from population growth, also are expected to spur demand for environmental engineers. Because of this employment growth, job opportunities should be good even as more students earn degrees. Even though employment of environmental engineers should be less affected by economic conditions than most other types of engineers, a significant economic downturn could reduce the emphasis on environmental protection, reducing job opportunities.

Environmental Engineer Salaries

Earnings for engineers vary significantly by specialty, industry, and education. Variation in median earnings and in the earnings distributions for engineers in various specialties is especially significant. Table 2 shows wage-and-salary earnings distributions in May 2006 for engineers in specialties covered in this statement.

Table 2: Earnings distribution by engineering specialty, May 2006 Specialty Lowest 10% Lowest 25% Median Highest 25% Highest 10% Aerospace engineers 59,610 71,360 87,610 106,450 124,550 Agricultural engineers 42,390 53,040 66,030 80,370 96,270 Biomedical engineers 44,930 56,420 73,930 93,420 116,330 Chemical engineers 50,060 62,410 78,860 98,100 118,670 Civil engineers 44,810 54,520 68,600 86,260 104,420 Computer hardware engineers 53,910 69,500 88,470 111,030 135,260 Electrical engineers 49,120 60,640 75,930 94,050 115,240 Electronics engineers, except computer 52,050 64,440 81,050 99,630 119,900 Environmental engineers 43,180 54,150 69,940 88,480 106,230 Health and safety engineers 41,050 51,630 66,290 83,240 100,160 Industrial engineers 44,790 55,060 68,620 84,850 100,980 Marine engineers and naval architects 45,200 56,280 72,990 90,790 113,320 Materials engineers 46,120 57,850 73,990 92,210 112,140 Mechanical engineers 45,170 55,420 69,850 87,550 104,900 Mining and geological engineers 42,040 54,390 72,160 94,110 128,410 Nuclear engineers 65,220 77,920 90,220 105,710 124,510 Petroleum engineers 57,960 75,880 98,380 123,130 Over 145,600

Table 3: Average starting salary by engineering specialty and degree , 2007

Curriculum	Bachelor's	Master's	Ph.D.
Aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical	$53,408	$62,459	$73,814
Agricultural	49,764
Architectural	48,664
Bioengineering and biomedical	51,356	59,240
Chemical	59,361	68,561	73,667
Civil	48,509	48,280	62,275
Computer	56,201	60,000	92,500
Electrical/electronics and communications	55,292	66,309	75,982
Environmental/environmental health	47,960
Industrial/manufacturing	55,067	64,759	77,364
Materials	56,233
Mechanical	54,128	62,798	72,763
Mining and mineral	54,381
Nuclear	56,587	59,167
Petroleum	60,718	57,000
Footnotes: (NOTE) Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers