Environmental Engineering Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Environmental Engineering Technology is a hands-on, applied field focused on supporting the design, implementation, and maintenance of systems that monitor, control, and mitigate environmental pollution. Students gain the technical expertise needed to contribute effectively to projects addressing air, water, and soil quality in both urban and industrial settings.
- Environmental Safety Principles: Core concepts governing safe practices in field and lab environments to minimize risks to personnel and ecosystems.
- Testing and Sampling Procedures: Standardized methods for collecting environmental media—air, water, soil—for accurate analysis and compliance monitoring.
- Laboratory Techniques: Practical skills in conducting chemical, biological, and physical analyses to assess contamination levels and environmental impact.
- Instrumentation Calibration: Techniques for ensuring precision and reliability in environmental monitoring devices and sensors.
- Safety and Protection Procedures: Protocols for handling hazardous materials, emergency response, and personal protective equipment (PPE) use in field and lab operations.
- Equipment Maintenance: Routine servicing and troubleshooting of pollution control systems and testing apparatus to ensure operational integrity.
- Report Preparation: Training in documenting findings, interpreting data, and producing clear, technical reports for regulatory and engineering teams.
Environmental Engineering Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Environmental Engineering Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Environmental Engineering Technology degrees, including Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians and Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 51,890 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians 17-3025 | $58,890 | $39,670 - $92,280 | 12,500 | $28.31 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health 19-4042 | $49,490 | $36,130 - $85,630 | 39,390 | $23.79 |
Environmental Engineering Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $40,385 in Illinois to $87,645 in Washington—a 117% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, District of Columbia, and Nevada. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 51,890 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Environmental Engineering Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 31 institutions offering Environmental Engineering Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Environmental Engineering Technology is found at Appalachian State University (App State) (45 graduates), Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) (41 graduates), The University of Findlay (UF) (36 graduates), North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh (16 graduates), and Duke University (12 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 241 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
41 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| The University of Findlay (UF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
36 | Findlay, Ohio | Private | findlay.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
|
12 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Associate's
|
11 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Associate's
|
8 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | bluegrass.kctcs.edu |
| Columbus State Community College (CSCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | cscc.edu |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (CSTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | cincinnatistate.edu |
| Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Lakewood, Washington | Public | cptc.edu |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Davenport, Iowa | Public | eicc.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRAg) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | Public | uprag.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
|
4 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Schoolcraft Community College District |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Livonia, Michigan | Public | schoolcraft.edu |
| Delta College |
Associate's
|
3 | University Center, Michigan | Public | delta.edu |
| Sandhills Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Pinehurst, North Carolina | Public | sandhills.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Blue Ridge Community and Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Martinsburg, West Virginia | Public | blueridgectc.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Other Award
|
2 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Onondaga Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Syracuse, New York | Public | sunyocc.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
2 | Middletown, Pennsylvania | Public | harrisburg.psu.edu |
| Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Rapid City, South Dakota | Public | wdt.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Bay de Noc Community College (Bay College) |
Associate's
|
1 | Escanaba, Michigan | Public | baycollege.edu |
| Lansing Community College (LCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Lansing, Michigan | Public | lcc.edu |
| Jackson State University (JSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Jackson, Mississippi | Public | jsums.edu |
| Stark State College |
Associate's
|
1 | North Canton, Ohio | Public | starkstate.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWGB) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | uwgb.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (CU) |
Associate's
|
1 | Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | commonwealthu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Environmental Engineering Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Environmental Engineering Technology degree?
Salaries for Environmental Engineering Technology graduates vary by role and location. Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $58,890 annually, while Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health earn around $49,490. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $87,645 compared to $40,385 in Illinois. Approximately 51,890 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Environmental Engineering Technology programs?
Currently 31 accredited institutions offer Environmental Engineering Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Appalachian State University (App State) (45 graduates), Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) (41 graduates), and The University of Findlay (UF) (36 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Environmental Engineering Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 332 in 2010 to a peak of 365 in 2020, before declining slightly to 241 in 2023-24. This represents a 27% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Environmental Engineering Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health, . Related occupations employ approximately 51,890 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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