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Environmental Engineers

Designs solutions for clean water, clean air and less waste.

Typical education to startBachelor's degree
Job outlook2025–2035: +6%
Median pay$107,110 a year (2025)
Interest codeIRC Investigative, Realistic, Conventional

Read the full guide

Environmental engineers design water and wastewater treatment, clean up polluted sites, reduce air pollution and plan for recycling and waste. They work for engineering firms, utilities, manufacturers and government agencies.

Open the environmental engineer guide

The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.

High school courses that build toward it

  • Engineering Design · Career and Technical

    Builds engineering, which this job uses.

  • Calculus · Math

    Builds math, which this job uses.

  • Physics · Science

    Builds physics, which this job uses.

  • Computer Science Principles · Computer Science

    Builds computers and electronics, which this job uses.

  • English 10 · English

    Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

  • Physical Education · Health and PE

    Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.

Environmental Engineers on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.