When we think of engineers, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s the engineering feats like dams and bridges. Environmental engineering is a field that builds upon some of these concepts but on a more micro level. Environmental engineers work with scientists, businesses, and government agencies to clean up the environment and improve on existing conditions for both humans and animals alike.
What is Environmental Engineering?
Environmental engineering is defined as “the profession in which a knowledge of the natural sciences gained by study, research, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize economic and environmental resources safely or to prevent or correct environmental degradation.” Environmental engineers must consider human impact when working on solutions to problems such as water contamination and air pollution. They also focus on renewable energy sources such as wind power, hydropower, solar power, and biomass.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Environmental engineers are tasked with protecting people from the effects of adverse environmental factors such as pollution, water contamination, and hazardous waste, as well as improving environmental quality. They work to improve recycling rates and waste disposal practices while also ensuring public health is not compromised.
As described by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), some of the projects undertaken by environmental engineers include: “Developing new analytical tools to evaluate potential climate change impacts on water resources; developing strategies for both long-term protection and short-term restoration of watersheds damaged by natural disasters such as fires and floods; working with industry to reduce chemical use in manufacturing processes and improve recycling of toxic materials.” Environmental engineering is generally a small but growing field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that environmental engineering will grow 28% from 2012-2022 which is much faster than the average occupation.
Environmental Engineering Career
From environmental consulting firms to environmental engineering facilities, environmental engineers are primarily responsible for the clean-up of contaminated properties and water resources. Environmental engineers also devise solutions to environmental problems such as improved waste disposal facilities or recycling programs. They often deal with environmental lawyers and try to follow regulations set by government agencies such as the EPA, OSHA, and the USDA.
Environmental Engineering Education Requirements
A bachelor’s degree is needed for environmental engineering positions at environmental consulting firms, environmental engineering facilities, and environmental agencies. General environmental engineering courses taken during the first two years of an environmental engineering program include chemistry, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity and magnetism, mechanical systems, computer programming, biology or public health. Students enrolled in environmental engineering courses also learn about environmental regulations, environmental life cycle analysis, environmental chemistry and environmental decision-making. After the first two years of environmental engineering education, students take advanced environmental engineering classes such as environmental microbiology or hazardous waste management.
Environmental Engineering Work Environment
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental engineers work at environmental consulting firms, environmental engineering facilities and environmental agencies. At environmental consulting firms, environmental engineers may spend a great deal of time outdoors checking lakes and streams for pollution or other problems. In the environmental engineering facility setting, environmental engineers have an indoor office setting that features laboratories with computers and automated equipment to conduct experiments on clean water solutions. While environmental engineers at environmental agencies spend more time outdoors than environmental engineers employed by environmental consulting firms and environmental engineering facilities, environmental engineers at environmental agencies also have indoor office settings.
Environmental Engineering Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental engineers had an average annual salary of $87,650 in May 2011. An environmental engineer employed by environmental consulting firms had an average annual salary of $83,900, environmental engineers working at environmental engineering facilities had an average annual salary of $90,350 and environmental engineers employed by environmental agencies made an average annual salary of $85,420.
Environmental Engineering Quick Facts
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental engineers held about 26,000 jobs in 2010. The environmental engineering industry is projected to grow by more than 11 percent between 2010 and 2020. By 2020, environmental engineers are expected to hold about 33,000 jobs.