Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between environmental scientists and environmental engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an environmental scientist, becoming an environmental engineer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an environmental engineer has an average salary of $75,718, which is higher than the $60,208 average annual salary of an environmental scientist.
The top three skills for an environmental scientist include environmental compliance, data collection and GIS. The most important skills for an environmental engineer are environmental compliance, project management, and OSHA.
| Environmental Scientist | Environmental Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $60,208 | $75,718 |
| Hourly rate | $28.95 | $36.40 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 56,425 | 24,787 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 12 |
Environmental scientists are responsible for analyzing environmental issues and creating their solutions. They protect the environment together with human health by using their understanding of natural science. It is their job to advise policy-makers, work with industry professionals to reduce waste, and clean up polluted areas. Also, they assess environmental risks and research to guide businesses, government administrators, as well as the general public on probable environmental threats and health risks. Additionally, they ensure that these entities follow the environmental regulations and policies to help minimize their environmental impact on the ecosystem.
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.
Environmental scientists and environmental engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Environmental Scientist | Environmental Engineer | |
| Average salary | $60,208 | $75,718 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $84,000 | Between $58,000 And $98,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Louisiana |
| Best paying company | Chevron | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between an environmental scientist and an environmental engineer in terms of educational background:
| Environmental Scientist | Environmental Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of California, Berkeley |
Here are the differences between environmental scientists' and environmental engineers' demographics:
| Environmental Scientist | Environmental Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3% | Male, 70.5% Female, 29.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 81.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 13% |