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ConstructionTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.Green JobOccupation aligned to O*NET green economy classifications.

Environmental Engineer

Researches, designs, plans, or performs engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.

Annual openings

145

BLS median wage

$106,890

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

10-year growth

+9%

Career requirements

What does this career require?

The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Credential requirement

A Professional Engineer license is highly valued in the Energy industry.

Work experience

No previous work experience is required.

Environmental Engineers and Technicians play a key role in the production of energy with the enhancement and use of technology to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, an example of a growing area of expertise employers often struggle to find in Colorado.
The enhancement and use of technology to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy industry is growing area of expertise with employers often struggling to find this expertise in Colorado.
Smaller Energy companies often hire consulting companies in a part time capacity to fill this role.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

  • With kids/peopleOccasionally
  • On a computerOccasionally
  • Outdoors / on-siteOccasionally
  • With your handsOccasionally

Interests it draws on

  • Engineering and Science
  • Engineering

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Design, or supervise the design of, systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.
  2. Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of land use projects on air, water, or land.
  3. Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, experts in law or business, or other specialists to address environmental problems.
  4. Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment.
  5. Develop proposed project objectives and targets and report to management on progress in attaining them.
  6. Monitor progress of environmental improvement programs.