# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-engineering-technologists-and-technicians
- SOC code: 17-3025.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $59,920 (10th percentile $39,910, 90th percentile $96,660)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +3.1%
- Openings a year: 1,100
- Typical entry education: Associate's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RIC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 88 |
| Investigative (I) | 82 |
| Artistic (A) | 12 |
| Social (S) | 8 |
| Enterprising (E) | 5 |
| Conventional (C) | 63 |

## What you'd do

- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 78/100)
- Getting Information (importance 76/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 73/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 72/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 69/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 69/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 65/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 63/100)
- Processing Information (importance 62/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 60/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Monitoring, Science, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Quality Control Analysis

## Knowledge

Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Chemistry, Mechanical, Physics, Public Safety and Security, Building and Construction, Education and Training

## 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, Environmental Engineering Aide, Environmental Engineering Assistant

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1505) (CIP 1505, 283 colleges)
- [Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1507) (CIP 1507, 169 colleges)
- [Pharmacology and Toxicology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2610) (CIP 2610, 109 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of California-Santa Barbara UCSB](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-santa-barbara-ucsb-2888) | Pharmacology and Toxicology | $42,364 | $98,462 | $11,000 |
| [Central Washington University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/central-washington-university-477) | Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $86,594 | $97,869 | $19,000 |
| [The University of Findlay](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-findlay-2754) | Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | not reported | $94,131 | not reported |
| [Eastern Kentucky University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/eastern-kentucky-university-866) | Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $75,355 | $92,289 | $24,628 |
| [Jacksonville State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/jacksonville-state-university-1321) | Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $72,830 | $90,850 | $19,375 |
| [Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/indiana-university-of-pennsylvania-main-campus-1276) | Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $78,548 | $90,257 | $26,500 |
| [Keene State College-New Hampshire](https://www.collegesref.com/college/keene-state-college-new-hampshire-1371) | Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $69,475 | $87,710 | $26,000 |
| [Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania](https://www.collegesref.com/college/slippery-rock-university-of-pennsylvania-2430) | Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $68,404 | $84,783 | $25,000 |

## Related careers

- [Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-science-and-protection-technicians-including-health): $55,090 median pay
- [Environmental Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-engineers): $107,110 median pay
- [Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-scientists-and-specialists-including-health): $82,220 median pay
- [Environmental Compliance Inspectors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-compliance-inspectors): $80,730 median pay
- [Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/water-and-wastewater-treatment-plant-and-system-operators): $60,020 median pay
- [Water/Wastewater Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/water-wastewater-engineers): $100,840 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.