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Environmental Engineers
Environmental engineers design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
Table 1 outlines median salaries for environmental engineers from 2010 to 2014, nationwide, and for the states with the highest and lowest median salary.
Note: Median salaries for this article have been compiled from BLR’s EHS Salary Guides.
Table 1: Median Salaries for Environmental Engineers 2010–2014
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | |
| Nationwide | $79,120 | $80,000 | $81,342 | $82,508 | $83,864 |
| Highest median | $89,123
Hawaii |
$91,592
Washington |
$100,379
Alaska |
$99,501
Alaska |
$105,193
New Mexico |
| Lowest median | $61,548
Maine |
$60,452
Florida |
$63,685
Florida |
$61,526
Florida |
$63,056
Florida |
The Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects employment of environmental engineers to grow 15% (faster than average) by 2022 (baseline 2012). The Bureau indicates that this growth will be fueled by state and local government concerns regarding water, which will lead to efforts to increase the efficiency of water use.
In addition, the requirement by the federal government to clean up contaminated sites is expected to help sustain demand for these engineers’ services, particularly those engineers who work for the government sector.
Another area that will contribute to the growth in employment of environmental engineers is wastewater treatment, which is becoming a larger concern in areas of the country where new methods of drilling for shale gas require the use and disposal of massive volumes of water.
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Emergency Management Directors
Emergency management directors coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural and manmade disasters or emergencies.
Table 2 outlines median salaries for emergency management directors from 2010 to 2014, nationwide, and for the states with the highest and lowest median salary.
Table 2: Median Salaries for Emergency Management Directors, 2010–2014
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | |
| Nationwide | $54,010 | $56,256 | $58,931 | $60,965 | $64,036 |
| Highest median | $79,254
California |
$85,913
California |
$91,663
California |
$97,604
California |
$100,184
California |
| Lowest median | $34,189
South Dakota |
$29,789
Illinois |
$31,045
Illinois |
$33,538
Illinois |
$33,089
Illinois |
BLS projects that employment of emergency management directors will grow about 8% (average) by 2022 (baseline 2012).
Although more people and areas may be vulnerable to disasters because of changes in weather patterns, hiring is expected to be limited by local and state budgets. Growing urbanization and a population shift toward coastal regions may also increase the number of people living in these high-risk areas.
The need for emergency management directors is expected to grow the fastest in hospitals, schools, and private companies. For example, employment of emergency management directors is projected to grow 18 percent in health care and social assistance and 22 percent in the professional, scientific, and technical services industries from 2012 to 2022.
Some local and state governments, however, may need to limit emergency management services and hiring because of budgetary constraints. In addition, some local and state governments are increasingly relying on federal financial assistance to fund their emergency management agencies.
Some smaller counties may not hire full-time, stand-alone emergency management directors, choosing instead to shift the job responsibilities to the fire chief, police chief, or other government employees.
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Environmental Scientists
Environmental scientists conduct research and perform investigations for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment of the health of the population. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, they may collect, synthesize, study, report, and take actions based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources. For our purposes here, this job description doesn’t include jobs like zoologist and wildlife biologists, forests and conservation scientists, and fish and game wardens.
Table 3 outlines median salaries for environmental scientists from 2010 to 2014, nationwide, and for the states with the highest and lowest median salary.
Table 3: Median Salaries for Environmental Scientists, 2010–2014
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | |
| Nationwide | $62,657 | $62,687 | $64,745 | $64,841 | $66,392 |
| Highest median | $88,168
Massachusetts |
$81,656
Massachusetts |
$77,772
Rhode Island |
$85,394
Rhode Island |
$85,139
Rhode Island |
| Lowest median | $44,603
Mississippi |
$43,525
Mississippi |
$44,525
Mississippi |
$43,370
West Virginia |
$42,238
Mississippi |
According to the BLS, employment of environmental scientists is expected to grow 15% by 2022 (baseline 2012), faster than average.
The Bureau attributes this to heightened public interest in the hazards facing the environment, as well as the increasing demands placed on the environment by population growth.
Most employment growth is projected to be in private consulting firms that help clients monitor and manage environmental concerns and comply with regulations. However, most jobs will remain concentrated in the various levels of government and closely related industries, such as publicly funded universities, hospitals, and national research facilities.
More businesses are expected to consult with environmental scientists and specialists in the future to help them minimize the impact their operations have on the environment.
Other environmental scientists and specialists are expected to be needed to help planners develop and construct buildings, utilities, and transportation systems that protect natural resources and limit damage to the land.
Next month, we will explore Trends in Green Jobs.