Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Also called: Air Analysis Engineering Technician (Air Analysis Engineering Tech), Air Analysis Technician (Air Analysis Tech), Air Analyst, Air Pollution Specialist, Air Quality Instrument Specialist, EHS Engineer (Environmental, Health and Safety Engineer), Emissions Technician (Emissions Tech), Engineer
Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists.
What environmental engineering technologists and technicians do
Typical tasks
- Prepare and package environmental samples for shipping or testing.
- Assist in the cleanup of hazardous material spills.
- Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings.
- Receive, set up, test, or decontaminate equipment.
- Inspect facilities to monitor compliance with regulations governing substances, such as asbestos, lead, or wastewater.
- Maintain project logbook records or computer program files.
- Record laboratory or field data, including numerical data, test results, photographs, or summaries of visual observations.
- Decontaminate or test field equipment used to clean or test pollutants from soil, air, or water.
- Collect and analyze pollution samples, such as air or ground water.
- Review technical documents to ensure completeness and conformance to requirements.
- Prepare permit applications or review compliance with environmental permits.
- Oversee support staff.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary
The median annual wage for environmental engineering technologists and technicians is $59,920 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $39,910 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $96,660. The mean annual wage is $64,870.
The mean hourly wage of $31.00 is 4.3× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $59,920 → in 3 years $65,300 → in 5 years $69,100 → in 10 years $79,700 (10-year range $68,600–$92,500). The model assumes pay growth of +2.9% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians United States | 産業廃棄物処理技術者 Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $59,920 | ¥6.12M ≈ $38,915 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $79,700 | ¥7.16M |
| Outlook score | 52 | 66 |
| AI replacement risk | 52% Moderate | 21% Low |
| Workers | 12K | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become environmental engineering technologists and technicians
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as environmental engineering technologists and technicians
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.