Architecture & Engineering
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Also called: Air Quality Instrument Specialist, EHS Engineer (Environmental, Health and Safety Engineer), Engineer, Environmental Engineering Assistant
US median pay
$59,920
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.1%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
1,100
12,500 employed
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.
What they do day to day
- Prepare and package environmental samples for shipping or testing.
- Assist in the cleanup of hazardous material spills.
- Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings.
- Receive, set up, test, or decontaminate equipment.
- Inspect facilities to monitor compliance with regulations governing substances, such as asbestos, lead, or wastewater.
- Maintain project logbook records or computer program files.
- Record laboratory or field data, including numerical data, test results, photographs, or summaries of visual observations.
- Decontaminate or test field equipment used to clean or test pollutants from soil, air, or water.
- Collect and analyze pollution samples, such as air or ground water.
- Review technical documents to ensure completeness and conformance to requirements.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Systems Analysis3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Operations Monitoring3.0/5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.0/5
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology3.7/5
- Mathematics3.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Chemistry3.4/5
- Mechanical3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Associate's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree67%
- High school diploma11%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.