Environmental engineering technologists and technicians
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. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians 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 engin. The role reports a median annual salary of $58,890 in the US and is showing modest growth of 1% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a Associate's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.55 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Speaking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £36,102 a year for Science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c. (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £29,401 to £46,772 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 3119). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Technicians and associate professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Environmental engineering technologists and technicians, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 3. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Chemistry
- Mechanical
- Physics
- Public Safety and Security
What you'd actually do
- Maintain project logbook records or computer program files.
- Record laboratory or field data, including numerical data, test results, photographs, or summaries of visual observations.
- Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings.
- Produce environmental assessment reports, tabulating data and preparing charts, graphs, or sketches.
- Collect and analyze pollution samples, such as air or ground water.
- Decontaminate or test field equipment used to clean or test pollutants from soil, air, or water.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Environmental engineering technologists and technicians do?
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. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.
How much does Environmental engineering technologists and technicians earn?
The median annual salary for Environmental engineering technologists and technicians in the US is $58,890.
What is the job outlook for Environmental engineering technologists and technicians?
The role is showing modest growth of 1% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 12,900 workers.
How do I become environmental engineering technologists and technicians?
The typical entry education is a Associate's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Environmental engineering technologists and technicians need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Speaking, Monitoring. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Environmental engineering technologists and technicians?
Our AI-durability model gives Environmental engineering technologists and technicians a score of 0.55 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.