How much does a environmental engineer make?
The median environmental engineer in the United States earns $107,110 per year, about $51.50 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all environmental engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-2081.
Environmental engineer salary range
Pay for environmental engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $69,990 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $162,220. The average (mean) wage of $112,910 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $69,990 | $33.65 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $83,570 | $40.18 | |
| Median (50th) | $107,110 | $51.50 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $134,420 | $64.63 | |
| 90th percentile | $162,220 | $77.99 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for environmental engineers (SOC 17-2081), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Environmental engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Environmental engineers earn the most in Louisiana at $130,510 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $83,200. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $130,510 | 340 |
| California | $130,410 | 4,550 |
| Oregon | $127,100 | 650 |
| Washington | $125,460 | 1,920 |
| Texas | $123,060 | 1,940 |
| Nebraska | $120,620 | 270 |
| Idaho | $117,520 | 400 |
| Florida | $116,840 | 1,800 |
| Massachusetts | $115,800 | 1,880 |
| Minnesota | $115,750 | 1,080 |
| Connecticut | $114,710 | 450 |
| Ohio | $113,180 | 730 |
| Alaska | $110,220 | 260 |
| Nevada | $109,720 | 290 |
| New Mexico | $108,360 | 500 |
| Illinois | $107,990 | 940 |
| Hawaii | $107,880 | 150 |
| Kentucky | $107,520 | 350 |
| Colorado | $106,890 | 1,320 |
| Wyoming | $106,330 | 200 |
| Michigan | $105,080 | 810 |
| Virginia | $104,940 | 1,010 |
| Utah | $103,380 | 410 |
| Pennsylvania | $103,330 | 1,750 |
| Alabama | $102,650 | 780 |
| New Jersey | $102,630 | 990 |
| New York | $101,270 | 3,170 |
| Rhode Island | $101,140 | 200 |
| Montana | $100,140 | 300 |
| North Carolina | $99,440 | N/A |
| South Dakota | $98,890 | 90 |
| Missouri | $98,170 | 510 |
| Maryland | $97,570 | 1,030 |
| Tennessee | $97,190 | 540 |
| Georgia | $96,530 | 830 |
| South Carolina | $96,140 | 560 |
| Delaware | $95,720 | 150 |
| Iowa | $94,830 | 150 |
| Kansas | $94,070 | 320 |
| Arizona | $93,970 | 690 |
| Maine | $93,930 | 220 |
| Vermont | $92,580 | 110 |
| Indiana | $92,460 | 520 |
| Oklahoma | $92,090 | 530 |
| North Dakota | $91,370 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $91,100 | 260 |
| Wisconsin | $89,990 | 890 |
| New Hampshire | $88,610 | 210 |
| Arkansas | $85,280 | 210 |
| West Virginia | $83,200 | 370 |
State median wages for environmental engineers (SOC 17-2081), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for environmental engineers
The BLS projects employment of environmental engineers to grow 6.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 39,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 41,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,300 openings a year for environmental engineers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an environmental engineer
The typical entry-level education for environmental engineers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an environmental engineer earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Louisiana, $130,510) and the lowest (West Virginia, $83,200) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 38,340 people work as environmental engineers in the United States. At $107,110 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Environmental engineer salary FAQ
How much does an environmental engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an environmental engineer is $51.50. The middle half of environmental engineers earn between $40.18 and $64.63 per hour.
What is the highest environmental engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of environmental engineers earn more than $162,220 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an environmental engineer make a year?
The median annual salary for an environmental engineer is $107,110. The average (mean) wage of $112,910 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an environmental engineer a well paid job?
At $107,110 a year, an environmental engineer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 38,340 people work as environmental engineers in the United States.
Which state pays environmental engineers the most?
Louisiana has the highest median salary for environmental engineers at $130,510 a year. California ($130,410) and Oregon ($127,100) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an environmental engineer a good career?
Employment of environmental engineers is projected to grow 6.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an environmental engineer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for environmental engineers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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