General
Environmental Engineering
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Environmental Engineering.
Entry Level Salary
$61,903
Median Salary
$106,407
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
17.2%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,256,280
Entry (Early)
$61,903
Median (Prime)
$106,407
High (Prime)
$114,801
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+96k
+457k
+524k
$25k / yr
+6k
+367k
+434k
$50k / yr
-84k
+277k
+344k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
32
25
24
$25k / yr
59
28
27
$50k / yr
Never
32
31
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
∞
∞
∞
$25k / yr
6%
337%
399%
$50k / yr
-38%
127%
158%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate41.6%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Civil engineers
11.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,253
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$82,592|$99,590
openings
23,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5%
Environmental engineers
10.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,530
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$84,413|$104,170
openings
3,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%
Engineers, All Other
7.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$73,929
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$93,713|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Management occupations
4.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$121,554
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$120,429|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Postsecondary teachers
2.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$26,303
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,823|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Project management specialists
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,404
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$101,295|$100,750
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Construction managers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$122,708
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$129,433|$106,980
openings
46,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.7%
Management analysts
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$101,625
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$110,299|$101,190
openings
98,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.8%
Software developers
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$86,664
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$114,538|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Physical scientists, all other
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$36,444
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,195|$117,960
openings
2,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| environmental/environmental health engineering. | Bachelor's Degree | 94 | $57,301 - $103,016 |
| environmental/environmental health engineering. | Master's Degree | 81 | $81,578 - $113,715 |
| environmental/environmental health engineering. | Doctoral Degree | 33 | Data N/A |