Environmental Engineering Degree
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Table of Contents
An Environmental Engineering degree provides the student with in-depth knowledge of relevant physical, chemical and biological systems with a strong emphasis on engineering design.
Environmental Engineers are educated to design and develop sustainable solutions to prevent environmental degradation and remediate existing environmental challenges around the world. This degree introduces the student to the best available practices into the planning, design, analysis, and operation of natural and engineered water systems, and the management of our air and earth resources.
Environmental Engineering Careers
The career trajectory of people with an Environmental Engineering degree appears to be focused around a few careers. The most common career that users with Environmental Engineering degrees have experience in is Environmental Engineer, followed by Water Engineer, Climate Change Analyst, Civil Engineer, Engineer, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Technician, Biologist, Marine Biologist, and Sustainability Officer.
| Career | % of graduates | % of population | Multiple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Engineer | 7.8% | 0.1% | 130.5× | ||
| Water Engineer | 3.2% | 0.0% | 232.0× | ||
| Climate Change Analyst | 1.9% | 0.0% | 168.9× | ||
| Civil Engineer | 2.1% | 0.3% | 6.8× | ||
| Engineer | 4.1% | 1.0% | 4.1× | ||
| Environmental Consultant | 3.0% | 0.0% | 88.7× | ||
| Environmental Technician | 4.0% | 0.0% | 269.5× | ||
| Biologist | 1.5% | 0.3% | 4.6× | ||
| Marine Biologist | 1.0% | 0.1% | 15.0× | ||
| Sustainability Officer | 3.5% | 0.0% | 120.4× | ||
Environmental Engineering Salary
Environmental Engineering graduates earn on average $50k, putting them in the 80th percentile of earners with a degree.
| Percentile | Earnings after graduation ($1000s USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 25th (bottom earners) | $42k | |
| Median (average earners) | $50k | |
| 75th (top earners) | $56k | |
Environmental Engineering Underemployment
Environmental Engineering graduates are moderately employed compared to other graduates. We have collected data on three types of underemployment. Part-time refers to work that is less than 30 hours per week. Non-college refers to work that does not require a college degree. Low-paying includes a list of low-wage service jobs such as janitorial work, serving, or dishwashing.
| Employment Type | Proportion of graduates | |
|---|---|---|
| Jobs that don't require college | 29% | |
| Part-Time | 28% | |
| Low-paying | 9% | |
