Career Explorer Engineering and architecture
Changing shape
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.
Changing faster than most: more resilient than 26% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +3.1% by 2035, slower than average.
AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.
- Median pay (2025)
- $59,920
- Job growth to 2035
- +3.1%
- Openings a year
- 1,100
- People doing it (2025)
- 12,500
- Usual route in
- Associate's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Test performance of equipment or systems
- Present research or technical information
- Document technical designs, procedures, or activities
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activities
- Dispose of waste or debris
- Monitor operations to ensure compliance with regulations or standards
What the work looks like
- Prepare and package environmental samples for shipping or testing.
- Review technical documents to ensure completeness and conformance to requirements.
- Assist in the cleanup of hazardous material spills.
- Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings.
- Prepare permit applications or review compliance with environmental permits.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as automation of environmental testing increases.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- SurveyorsGrows with AI, Index 38, +5.8%
- Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all otherHuman edge, steady, Index 46, +2.8%
- Biological techniciansGrows with AI, Index 65, +7.4%
- Industrial engineering technologists and techniciansChanging shape, Index 47, +3.1%
Also known as: Environmental Engineering Assistant, Environmental Engineering Technician (Environmental Engineering Tech), Environmental Field Technician (Environmental Field Tech), Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech), Air Quality Instrument Specialist, EHS Engineer (Environmental, Health and Safety Engineer), Engineer, Haz Tech (Hazardous Technician).
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.