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The differences between environmental engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an environmental engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $75,718 average annual salary of an environmental engineer.
The top three skills for an environmental engineer include environmental compliance, project management and OSHA. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Environmental Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly Salary | $75,718 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $36.40 | $44.27 |
| Growth Rate | 4% | 2% |
| Number Of Jobs | 24,787 | 618,207 |
| Job Satisfaction | 5 | 4.33 |
| Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average Age | 43 | 41 |
| Years Of Experience | 12 | 6 |
Environmental engineers use the principles of science, biology, engineering, and chemistry to create solutions to certain environmental problems. They primarily work to improve waste disposal, public health, recycling, and to control water and air pollution. It is also their responsibility to address global issues, such as climate change, unsafe drinking water, and environmental sustainability. They typically prepare and review environmental investigation reports so that documents and permits are updated and in compliance with environmental regulations.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Environmental engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Environmental Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average Salary | $75,718 | $92,077 |
| Salary Range | Between $58,000 And $98,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest Paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest Paying State | Louisiana | New Hampshire |
| Best Paying Company | Fort Bend County | |
| Best Paying Industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an environmental engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Environmental Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most Common Major | Civil Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most Common College | University of California, Berkeley | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between environmental engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Environmental Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average Age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender Ratio | Male, 70.5% Female, 29.5% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race Ratio | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 12.9% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 5% |