Environmental Engineer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Environmental Engineers Make?
Environmental Engineers earn a median annual salary of $104,170 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $64,950 at the 10th percentile to $161,910 at the 90th percentile — a range of $96,960. The highest-paying state is Oregon at $130,370.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,950 |
| 25th percentile | $80,510 |
| Median (50th) | $104,170 |
| 75th percentile | $130,830 |
| 90th percentile | $161,910 |
Environmental Engineer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregontop | $130,370 |
| California | $127,660 |
| District of Columbia | $125,980 |
| Louisiana | $123,210 |
| Massachusetts | $116,980 |
| Washington | $115,770 |
| Alaska | $113,800 |
| Nevada | $112,330 |
| Texas | $108,560 |
| Connecticut | $108,100 |
| Illinois | $107,550 |
| Rhode Island | $106,620 |
| Ohio | $106,070 |
| Hawaii | $105,230 |
| Minnesota | $104,980 |
| Kentucky | $104,770 |
| Wyoming | $104,540 |
| North Carolina | $104,040 |
| New Mexico | $103,770 |
| Virginia | $103,480 |
| Michigan | $100,090 |
| Alabama | $100,060 |
| West Virginia | $99,830 |
| Delaware | $99,820 |
| Utah | $99,180 |
| South Carolina | $99,040 |
| New Jersey | $98,980 |
| Colorado | $98,170 |
| New York | $97,870 |
| Montana | $96,320 |
| Iowa | $95,980 |
| Indiana | $95,630 |
| Georgia | $94,950 |
| Pennsylvania | $94,880 |
| Maryland | $94,830 |
| Kansas | $93,540 |
| Arizona | $91,520 |
| South Dakota | $91,320 |
| Nebraska | $91,100 |
| Florida | $89,850 |
| Wisconsin | $89,270 |
| Tennessee | $87,920 |
| Oklahoma | $87,840 |
| North Dakota | $87,590 |
| Missouri | $87,360 |
| Vermont | $85,950 |
| Idaho | $85,390 |
| Maine | $85,050 |
| Arkansas | $84,600 |
| New Hampshire | $83,880 |
| Mississippi | $81,780 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Environmental Engineers
Environmental Engineer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$64,950 – $80,510 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$104,170 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$130,830 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $161,910+ |
How to Earn More as an Environmental Engineer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Environmental Engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $142,000 — $37,830 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($130,830) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Environmental Engineer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Environmental Engineerthis career | $104,170 |
| Water Resource Specialist | $161,180 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Manager | $136,550 |
| Environmental Compliance Inspector | $78,420 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $84,630 |
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SOC: 17-2081.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.