Occupation salary profile

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

SOC 17-3025 BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

National median · BLS
$59,920
▲ +1.75% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$64,870
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
12,190
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$39,910
25th$48,200
Median (50th)$59,920
75th$75,960
90th — top pay$96,660

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

BLS projects employment of environmental engineering technologists and technicians to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,100 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
12,500 → 12,900
+400 jobs
Projected change
+3.1%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
1,100
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
No related experience required
Self-employed
1% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 4)
Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need an associate's degree →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Active Listening3.9
  • Critical Thinking3.9
  • Reading Comprehension3.9
  • Active Learning3.8
  • Monitoring3.4
  • Science3.4
  • Speaking3.4
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.3
  • Complex Problem Solving3.1
  • Quality Control Analysis3.1
Top knowledge areas
  • Engineering and Technology3.7
  • Mathematics3.6
  • Customer and Personal Service3.5
  • English Language3.4
  • Chemistry3.4
  • Mechanical3.2
  • Physics3.2
  • Public Safety and Security3.1
Software and technology used
Autodesk AutoCADAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DBentley MicroStationC++ESRI ArcGIS softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordPythonSASThe MathWorks MATLABAdobe PageMakerAir dispersion modeling softwareANSYS simulation softwareComputer aided design and drafting CADD software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What environmental engineering technologists and technicians do

  • 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.
Also called
Environmental Engineering AssistantEnvironmental Engineering Technician (Environmental Engineering Tech)Environmental Field Technician (Environmental Field Tech)Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech)Air Quality Instrument SpecialistEHS Engineer (Environmental, Health and Safety Engineer)EngineerHaz Tech (Hazardous Technician)Remediation Technician (Remediation Tech)
More job titles for this occupation (13)
Air Analysis Engineering Technician (Air Analysis Engineering Tech)Air Analysis Technician (Air Analysis Tech)Air AnalystAir Pollution SpecialistEmissions Technician (Emissions Tech)Environmental Engineering AideEnvironmental Engineering TechnologistEnvironmental Field ProfessionalEnvironmental Remediation Engineering TechnicianPollution Control Engineering Technician (Pollution Control Engineering Tech)Pollution Control Technician (Pollution Control Tech)Quality Technician (Quality Tech)Water Pollution Control Technician (Water Pollution Control Tech)

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.