Environmental Engineer Salary in 2026
Environmental engineers use engineering, soil science, and biology to develop solutions for environmental problems including pollution, waste management, and water treatment.
Median Salary
$94,000
$7,833/mo
Entry Level
$62,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$120,000
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
Environmental Engineer Overview
Environmental engineers use engineering, soil science, and biology to develop solutions for environmental problems including pollution, waste management, and water treatment.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Engineering
Total Jobs (US)
55K
5-Year Growth
+13%
Category
Engineering
Hourly Rate
$45.19/hr
Monthly Pay
$7,833
Environmental Engineer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Environmental Engineer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Environmental Engineer Salary
$100,000
$8,333/month · $3,846/biweekly · $48.08/hr
Environmental Engineer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Environmental Engineer field.
Entry-level Environmental Engineers earn around $62,000, while the top 10% earn $134,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Environmental Engineers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $111,000 | +$17,000 |
| New York | $108,000 | +$14,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $94,000 | $0 |
| Texas | $92,000 | $-2,000 |
| Florida | $92,000 | $-2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Environmental Engineers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $118,000 | +$24,000 |
| New York | $111,000 | +$17,000 |
| Miami | $96,000 | +$2,000 |
| Philadelphia | $96,000 | +$2,000 |
| Houston | $93,000 | $-1,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Environmental Engineer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Environmental Engineer from entry level to expert.
$62,000
0-2 years
$91,000
3-7 years
$120,000
8-14 years
$149,000
15+ years
Related Engineering Jobs
Environmental Engineer Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Environmental Engineer Salary
How we calculate Environmental Engineer salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $94,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Environmental Engineer in the Engineering sector.
- Entry-level ($62,000) and senior-level ($120,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 55K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 13% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Engineering sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $94,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Environmental Engineer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Environmental Engineer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Engineering
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Environmental Engineer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Environmental Remediation, Water Treatment, EPA Regulations), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
Explore More Job Salaries
Compare salary data for hundreds of jobs across all industries. Find out what you should be earning.