What it is
Environmental engineering uses engineering to protect people and the environment — designing systems for clean water, air quality, waste management, and sustainability. It combines civil and chemical engineering with environmental science.
What you'll study
All engineering builds a rigorous math-and-science core, then specializes:
- Year 1–2Calculus, differential equations, physics, chemistry, intro engineering
- Year 2–3Core engineering science and water & wastewater treatment, air quality, hydrology, and sustainability
- Year 3–4Advanced discipline courses, labs, and a capstone design project
- ThroughoutDesign, teamwork, and often co-ops/internships (many programs ABET-accredited)
Concentrations & focus areas
- Water / WastewaterTreatment systems
- Air QualityPollution control
- Site RemediationCleanup
- SustainabilityGreen systems
- Solid WasteWaste management
- Environmental PolicyRegulation
Skills you'll build
Engineers build a powerful, transferable skill set:
- Analytical problem-solvingBreaking down hard problems
- Math & modelingQuantitative rigor
- DesignCreating and testing solutions
- Technical softwareDiscipline-specific tools
- Teamwork & communicationProjects and clients
Careers & job titles
This discipline leads to roles such as:
- Environmental engineerSystems & compliance (~$104,170)
- Water / wastewater engineerTreatment
- Air quality engineerEmissions
- Remediation engineerCleanup
- Sustainability engineerGreen design
- Environmental consultantAdvisory
Job outlook & demand
The BLS projects the architecture & engineering group to grow faster than average, with about 174,800 openings a year. Environmental engineering is projected to grow faster than average, driven by regulation, climate, and sustainability. Engineering skills are in demand across industry, technology, energy, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Engineering pays well above average. Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental engineers had a median of $104,170 (2024) — versus the all-occupation median of about $50,980. Earnings rise with experience, a graduate degree, and (in many fields) the Professional Engineer (PE) license; senior engineers, specialists, and managers earn well into six figures.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A bachelor's (BEng/BS) is the entry credential; a master's deepens specialization and a PhD leads research. The PE license matters in many fields.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you enjoy math and science, like designing and building solutions, and want a well-paid, respected profession with strong job security.
Worth knowing: engineering is rigorous, and many roles benefit from the PE license (via the FE exam, experience, and the PE exam). Internships and co-ops strongly boost early careers.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- FocusClean water, air quality, waste, sustainability
- StudyWater/wastewater, air quality, hydrology
- BlendCivil + chemical + environmental science
- OutlookFaster than average (BLS)
- Pay$104,170 median (BLS)
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: