Environmental science careers are meaningful and offer high salaries, especially in a field like environmental engineering. Some of the best companies for environmental engineers offer competitive salaries, exceptional benefits, and an enjoyable work environment. In this article, we’ll cover some of the highest-paying environmental engineer companies, along with tips that will help you launch your career with one of them.
What Is an Environmental Engineer?
Environmental engineers are professionals who create and implement innovative solutions to address environmental issues and protect public health. These solutions help to control pollution and improve water quality, environmental conditions, energy consumption, energy efficiency, and waste disposal.
Environmental engineers work in government agencies, utility companies, and environmental engineering firms. Chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, biomedical engineers, and even software engineers can pursue careers in environmental engineering.
How to Get an Environmental Engineer Job
In this section, we provide important steps in getting an environmental engineering job. Companies carefully select the best applicant among job seekers. With this in mind, make sure you are adequately prepared before applying for a job.
- Earn an engineering degree. The required level of education to become an environmental engineer is typically a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or other related fields, such as chemical or civil engineering.
- Gain relevant work experience. Apply for internships or entry-level jobs to gain practical experience and proper training. Work experience might be required before taking a licensure exam.
- Take the FE exam. Before taking the Principles and Practices of Engineering (PE) exam, you must first receive a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination. This is conducted by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
- Take an engineering licensure exam. You must pass the PE licensure exam before applying for a job. Government agencies and other companies for environmental engineers require a professional engineer license.
- Search and apply for environmental engineering jobs. There are plenty of job sites that post environmental engineering jobs. Interested parties can visit Indeed, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor to search for jobs.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Environmental Engineer Companies
| Company | Salary for Environmental Engineers |
|---|---|
| Shell | $129,380 |
| Marathon Petroleum Corporation | $121,877 |
| Lockheed Martin | $111,950 |
| Environmental Protection Agency | $106,748 |
| United States Federal Government | $101,757 |
| US Air Force | $88,380 |
| CDM Smith | $85,943 |
| Georgia-Pacific | $87,040 |
| AECOM | $81,032 |
| Jacobs Engineering Group | $76,799 |
Shell
Shell is a British oil industry company based in London, England. It was founded in 1907 and operates in different parts of the world with more than 85,000 employees. This company offers several career opportunities, such as data engineering, DevOps engineering, process control engineering, safety engineering, and more.
What Does Shell Pay Its Environmental Engineers?
Shell offers an average annual salary of $129,380 to environmental engineers. This is 40 percent higher than the average wage estimates of environmental engineers in the United States. Shell gives excellent employee benefits such as health insurance, dental insurance, adoption assistance, employee assistance, and legal assistance.
Shell Reviews
Employee reviews show that this company gives competitive pay. It has a good working environment and offers flexible working hours. However, others mention that job security needs improvement.
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Marathon Petroleum Corporation is an American petroleum refineries company founded in November 2009. The company has more than 50,000 employees and is currently headquartered in Findlay, Ohio.
What Does Marathon Petroleum Pay Its Environmental Engineers?
This company pays an annual average wage of $121,877 to an entry-level engineer. This can range from $117,831 to $125,744 and is 29 percent higher than the average wage in the United States. This company also offers generous benefits such as health insurance, a health savings account (HSA), employee assistance, and paid holidays.
Marathon Petroleum Reviews
Employee reviews mentioned their good experiences with the company. It shows that the company pays well and that many talented people work in a variety of settings at this company. Other reviews suggested that the management could be better.
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an aerospace company established in 1995. This company currently has more than 100,000 employees around the world and is headquartered in Maryland. It provides military support, information security, and defense services.
What Does Lockheed Martin Pay Its Environmental Engineers?
Environmental engineers at Lockheed Martin earn an annual wage of $112,907. This can range from $70,345 to $120,415, depending on several factors. This is 31 percent higher than the national average salary for this profession. This company also offers lots of employee benefits such as health insurance, disability insurance, and employee assistance.
Lockheed Martin Reviews
Many reviews mentioned that the company has a good work-life balance despite the challenging variety of tasks it gives to its employees. They also mentioned enjoying the benefits and flexibility offered by the company. However, one review said this company is not for people who want to work in a fast-paced environment.
Environmental Protection Agency
This is a US government agency that is responsible for environmental protection. It was established in 1970 and is currently headquartered in Washington DC, with more than 14,000 employees.
What Does the Environmental Protection Agency Pay Its Environmental Engineers?
Environmental engineers at this organization earn an annual salary of $106,748 which ranges from $49,645 to $146,026. The company provides practical experience for its engineers in training, and employees receive good benefits from this organization such as health insurance, a retirement plan, a pension plan, commuter assistance, and paid holidays.
Environmental Protection Agency Reviews
The company promotes work-life balance and provides excellent training to its employees according to some reviews on Glassdoor. Employees love the work environment and friendly management. However, some employees do not like the bureaucracy inside this organization.
United States Federal Government
This is the national government of the United States. It is located in Washington DC and employs millions of workers. Working as an environmental engineer at this organization is a great experience. The federal government opens many opportunities for IT and engineering professionals.
What Does the United States Federal Government Pay Its Environmental Engineers?
This organization pays an annual wage of $101,757 to environmental engineers. This can range from $96,881 to $128,982 and is 24 percent higher than the average salary of environmental engineers in the United States. Employees at this company also receive various benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, a retirement plan, and employee assistance.
United States Federal Government Reviews
Reviews on Glassdoor mentioned that working with the government provides job security. They also love the career opportunities, the variety of settings, and the employee benefits. However, some reviews mentioned that employees sometimes have to work long hours.
US Air Force
This organization is a branch of the US government that is responsible for air security. It was established in September 1947 and operates as a branch of the US military.
What Does the US Air Force Pay Its Environmental Engineers?
Environmental engineers at US Air Force earn an average annual salary of $88,380. This can range from $83,258 to $119,433. They also offer generous employee benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, mental healthcare, a company car, legal assistance, and employee discounts.
US Air Force Reviews
Employees love the benefits they receive at this organization, according to Glassdoor reviews. There are plenty of learning opportunities. However, some believe that the leadership roles inside the organization could improve and others lament heavy workloads.
CDM Smith
CDM Smith is an engineering company with a strong track record since it was founded in 1947. With its 5,000 employees, it provides various engineering services worldwide, such as water solutions, construction services, transportation, environmental engineering services, energy solutions, and facility projects. CDM Smith is currently based in Boston.
What Does CDM Smith Pay Its Environmental Engineers?
Environmental engineers at CDM Smith earn an annual wage of $85,943. This company also offers excellent benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, employee discounts, free lunches, and employee assistance.
CDM Smith Reviews
According to several current and former employees, the company has a good work-life balance. Employees work with talented and friendly people, as well. They enjoy flexible working hours and competitive benefits. However, some believe the company lacks transparency and say the compensation could be better.
Georgia-Pacific
This manufacturing company is one of the biggest manufacturers of paper, pulp, packaging, and other related products. It was founded in 1927 by Owen Robertson Cheatham. Currently, the company has more than 30,000 employees and is based in Atlanta, Georgia.
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What Does Georgia-Pacific Pay Its Environmental Engineers?
Environmental engineers at this company earn an average annual salary of $87,040. This can range from $73,063 to $103,321. Employees are also given a benefits package that includes health insurance, dental insurance, a health savings account (HSA), employee assistance, and life insurance.
Georgia-Pacific Reviews
Several reviews mentioned that this company has a fun working atmosphere. Employees also love the compensation and believe Georgia-Pacific promotes professional development. It has great culture and employees work with various tech applications. However, some reviews also said that work-life balance can be difficult sometimes.
AECOM
AECOM is an engineering company that provides a wide variety of engineering services such as planning, construction, architecture, environmental services, economics, cyber security, IT, and more. It employs more than 50,000 employees and is currently based in Los Angeles, California. The company was founded in April 1990.
What Does AECOM Pay Its Environmental Engineers?
AECOM pays environmental engineers an annual salary of $81,032. This can range from $53,723 to $139,525. Its employees are also offered generous benefits such as health insurance, disability insurance, supplemental life insurance, an employee stock purchase plan, and adoption assistance.
AECOM Reviews
Employees work in a great environment at AECOM, based on several reviews. They also love the schedule flexibility and enjoy working with brilliant colleagues. However, some believe that the upper management could improve.
Jacobs Engineering Group
Jacobs Engineering Group is an international construction company headquartered in Texas. It offers engineering and professional services such as scientific and technical consulting. This company was founded in 1947 and serves various companies and organizations around the world.
What Does Jacobs Engineering Group Pay Its Environmental Engineers?
Jacobs Engineering Group pays environmental engineers an annual salary of $76,799. This can range from $64,440 to $109,121. This company also gives decent benefits such as health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, employee discounts, an employee assistance program, paid vacation leave, a pension plan, and a 401k plan.
Jacobs Engineering Group Reviews
Reviews on Glassdoor said this company facilitates a great environment for employees. They are given fun and interesting work, and employees love the flexible working hours and opportunities to work with talented professionals. However, some believe that the management could improve.
Why You Should Become an Environmental Engineer in 2022
If you seek a rewarding career that leaves a meaningful impact on society, you should consider becoming an environmental engineer. Environmental engineers play a critical role in environmental health and overall welfare. They find sustainable solutions for the problems that greatly affect the health and lives of people.
While a career as an environmental engineer brings with it great responsibilities, it also offers an excellent salary and generous benefits. Start your journey in environmental engineering now and enjoy a fulfilling career.
Best Companies for Environmental Engineers FAQ
According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, environmental engineering is expected to grow by 4 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is slower than the national average. Regardless of the small job growth, 4,000 job opportunities are expected to open for these professionals.
Environmental engineers should have in-depth knowledge in a variety of tasks, including the hardware and software tools used such as monitoring equipment, industrial equipment, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), MATLAB, and OpenAir. They should also possess soft skills like the drive to create innovative solutions, interpersonal skills, and analytical skills.
In addition to a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, there are two very important examinations that potential environmental engineers need to earn a passing score on the FE exam and the PE license exam. These are essential qualifications to have when applying for a job.
Yes, it can be difficult. Companies impose a scrupulous hiring process for environmental engineering applicants. Keep in mind that environmental engineers have big responsibilities in maintaining and improving environmental health. This role has strict requirements that candidates must meet.
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