How to Become an Environmental Engineer?
Are you thinking of becoming an Environmental Engineer or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become an Environmental Engineer, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Environmental Engineer job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become an Environmental Engineer
If you're considering starting your Environmental Engineer career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Environmental Engineer and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Environmental Engineer career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Environmental Engineer career path, a Bachelor's Degree in engineering or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. An Environmental Engineer internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become an Environmental Engineer?
51% of people working as an Environmental Engineer earned a Bachelor's Degree
What skills do you need to be an Environmental Engineer?
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Hazwoper
- Critical Thinking
- Responses
- Written Communication
- Reviews
- Consulting Experience
- Collaboration
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Environmental Engineer, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Environmental Engineer field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Environmental Engineer specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as an Environmental Engineer
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in engineering or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Environmental Engineer. In general, you can become an Environmental Engineer after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Environmental Engineer role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified b corporation.4
Advance in Your Environmental Engineer Career
Following entry-level, there are several Environmental Engineer career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Environmental Engineer to progress to the senior environmental engineer position. Each advanced Environmental Engineer position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Environmental Engineer career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Environmental Engineer career path.5
Continued Education for Your Environmental Engineer Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Environmental Engineer career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in engineering can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $107,425 compared to $55,118 for those without that type of degree.Environmental Engineer Career Path
Environmental Engineer
2 - 4Years of Experience
$84K - $128K /yrMost Likely Range
37% advanced to
Senior Environmental Engineer
2 - 4Years of Experience
$119K - $184K /yrMost Likely Range
7% advanced to
Environmental Engineer IV
5 - 7Years of Experience
$99K - $148K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
Environmental Engineer Career Path
Environmental Engineer I
Environmental Engineer
Senior Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineer Manager
Environmental Engineer IV
Senior Manager of Environmental Engineering
Principal Environmental Engineer
Deputy Director of Environmental Engineering
Senior Principal Environmental Engineer
Associate Director of Environmental Engineering
Director of Environmental Engineering
Senior Vice President of Environmental Engineering
$50K
$140K
$230K
$320K
$500K
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Related Careers in the Research & Science Industry
Interested in other Research & Science careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Environmental Engineer skills. Discover some of the most common Environmental Engineer career transitions, along with skills overlap.