Environmental Engineering Technicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Summary

Environmental engineering technicians collect samples for testing back in the lab.

Quick Facts: Environmental Engineering Technicians
2010 Median Pay	$43,390 per year $20.86 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Associate’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	18,800
Job Outlook, 2010-20	24% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	4,600

What Environmental Engineering Technicians Do

Environmental engineering technicians carry out the plans that environmental engineers develop. They test, operate, and, if necessary, modify equipment for preventing or cleaning up environmental pollution. They may collect samples for testing, or they may work to mitigate sources of environmental pollution.

Work Environment

Nearly all environmental engineering technicians work full time. They typically work indoors, usually in laboratories, and often have regular working hours. However, they must sometimes work irregular hours to monitor operations.

How to Become an Environmental Engineering Technician

Although environmental engineering technicians do not necessarily need an associate’s degree, employers prefer candidates who have one.

Pay

The median annual wage of environmental engineering technicians was $43,390 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of environmental engineering technicians is expected to grow 24 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment in this occupation is typically tied to projects created by environmental engineers. State and local governments are expected to focus efforts and resources on efficient water use and wastewater treatment, which will support the demand for environmental engineering technicians.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of environmental engineering technicians with similar occupations.

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What Environmental Engineering Technicians Do About this section

Environmental engineering technicians collect water samples.

Environmental engineering technicians engineering technicians carry out the plans that environmental engineers develop.

Duties

Environmental engineering technicians typically do the following:

Set up, test, operate, and modify equipment for preventing or cleaning up environmental pollution
Maintain project records and computer program files
Conduct pollution surveys, collecting and analyzing samples such as air and ground water
Perform indoor and outdoor environmental quality work
Work to mitigate sources of environmental pollution
Review technical documents to ensure completeness and conformance to requirements
Review work plans to schedule activities
Arrange for the disposal of lead, asbestos, and other hazardous materials

In laboratories, environmental engineering technicians record observations, test results, and document photographs. To keep the laboratory supplied, they also may get product information, identify vendors and suppliers, and order materials and equipment.

Environmental engineering technicians also help environmental engineers develop devices for cleaning up environmental pollution. They also inspect facilities for compliance with the regulations that govern substances such as asbestos, lead, and wastewater.

Work Environment About this section

Environmental engineering technicians must wear protective gear when they are working outdoors on environmental remediation.

Environment engineering technicians held about 18,800 jobs in 2010. The following industries employed the most environmental engineering technicians in 2010:

Management, scientific, and technical consulting services	16%
Local government, excluding education and hospitals	11
Waste management and remediation services	10
Testing laboratories	9
State government, excluding education and hospitals	6

Environment engineering technicians typically work indoors, usually in laboratories, and often have regular working hours. They also work outdoors, sometimes in remote locations.

Because environmental engineering technicians help in environmental cleanup, they can be exposed to hazards from equipment, chemicals, or other toxic materials. For this reason, they must follow proper safety procedures, such as wearing hazmat suits and sometimes respirators, even in warm weather. When they work in wet areas, environmental engineering technicians wear heavy rubber boots to keep their legs and feet dry.

Nearly all environmental engineering technicians work full time. However, they must sometimes work irregular hours to monitor operations.

How to Become an Environmental Engineering Technician About this section

Environmental engineering technicians perform indoor and outdoor environmental quality work.

Although environmental engineering technicians do not necessarily need an associate’s degree, employers prefer candidates who have one.

Education

Prospective engineering technicians should take as many high school science and math courses as possible to prepare for programs in engineering technology after high school.

Environmental engineering technicians typically have an associate’s degree in environmental engineering technology or engineering technology. Vocational–technical schools include postsecondary public institutions that serve local students and emphasize training needed by local employers. Community colleges offer programs similar to those in technical institutes but include more theory-based and liberal arts coursework. Associate’s degree programs generally include courses in mathematics, chemistry, solid and hazardous waste, and environmental biology, among others.

Programs are accredited by ABET (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). Some environmental engineering technicians enter the occupation with a bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences, such as biology and chemistry.

Important Qualities

Listening skills. Environmental engineering technicians must be able to listen carefully to the instructions that the engineers give them.

Monitoring skills. Environmental engineering technicians are the eyes and ears of the environmental engineers and must assume responsibility for properly evaluating situations onsite.

Problem sensitivity. These technicians must be able to recognize problems so that the environmental engineers are informed as quickly as possible.

Reading-comprehension skills. Environmental engineering technicians must be able to read and understand legal and technical documents to ensure that regulatory requirements are being met.

Teamwork. Environmental engineering technicians work under engineers and as part of a team with other technicians. They must be able to communicate and work well with both supervisors and peers.

Advancement

Environmental engineering technicians usually begin work as trainees in entry-level positions supervised by an environmental engineer or a more experienced technician. As they gain experience, technicians take on more responsibility and carry out assignments under general supervision. Some eventually become supervisors.

Technicians who have a bachelor’s degree often are able to advance to engineering positions.

Pay About this section

Environmental Engineering Technicians

Median annual wages, May 2010

Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters: $51,930
Environmental Engineering Technicians: $43,390
Total, All Occupations: $33,840

The median annual wage of environmental engineering technicians was $43,390 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,000, and the top 10 percent earned more than $72,020.

Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of environmental engineering technicians in May 2010 were the following:

Local government, excluding education and hospitals	$49,350
State government, excluding education and hospitals	46,100
Waste management and remediation services	40,120
Testing laboratories	39,590
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services	38,600

Nearly all environmental engineering technicians work full time and typically have regular hours. However, they must sometimes work irregular hours to monitor operations.

Job Outlook About this section

Environmental Engineering Technicians

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Environmental Engineering Technicians: 24%
Total, All Occupations: 14%
Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters: 5%

Employment of environmental engineering technicians is projected to grow 24 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.

Employment in this occupation is typically tied to projects created by environmental engineers. State and local governments are expected to focus efforts and resources on efficient water use and wastewater treatment, which will support the demand for environmental engineering technicians.

The increasing call to clean up contaminated sites, as mandated by Congress and directed by the Environmental Protection Agency, is expected to help sustain demand for these technicians’ services. In addition, wastewater treatment is becoming a larger concern in areas of the country where new methods of drilling for shale gas require the use and disposal of large volumes of water. Environmental engineering technicians will continue to be needed to help utilities and water treatment plants comply with new federal or state environmental regulations.

Employment projections data for environmental engineering technicians, 2010-20
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Change, 2010-20		Employment by Industry
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Percent	Numeric	Employment by Industry
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Environmental Engineering Technicians	17-3025	18,800	23,300	24	4,600	[XLS]

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of environmental engineering technicians.

Occupation	Job Duties	ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION	2010 MEDIAN PAY
Environmental Engineers	Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and control of water and air pollution.	Bachelor’s degree	$78,740
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians	Environmental science and protection technicians do laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those affecting health. Many work under the supervision of environmental scientists and specialists, who direct their work and evaluate their results.	Associate’s degree	$41,380
Environmental Scientists and Specialists	Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment. They identify problems and find solutions that minimize hazards to the health of the environment and the population.	Bachelor’s degree	$61,700
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers	Hazardous materials (hazmat) removal workers identify and dispose of asbestos, radioactive and nuclear waste, arsenic, lead, and other hazardous materials. They also clean up materials that are flammable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic.	High school diploma or equivalent	$37,600