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The differences between professional engineers 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 a professional engineer, becoming an environmental engineer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a professional engineer has an average salary of $86,348, which is higher than the $75,718 average annual salary of an environmental engineer.
The top three skills for a professional engineer include civil engineering, project management and PE. The most important skills for an environmental engineer are environmental compliance, project management, and OSHA.
| Professional Engineer | Environmental Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $86,348 | $75,718 |
| Hourly rate | $41.51 | $36.40 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 74,009 | 24,787 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 41 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 12 |
A professional engineer specializes in designing and developing systems and structures through different principles. Although their duties will vary upon their industry of employment, it typically includes performing site assessments and examinations, studying the purpose and goals of the project, developing plans and guidelines, monitoring the progress of operations, and resolving issues and concerns promptly and efficiently. They may work together with architects and senior engineers, liaise with clients or contractors, and perform regular site inspections. Furthermore, a professional engineer must implement safety protocols and regulations to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
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.
Professional engineers and environmental engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Professional Engineer | Environmental Engineer | |
| Average salary | $86,348 | $75,718 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $118,000 | Between $58,000 And $98,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Louisiana |
| Best paying company | Bayer | |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Energy |
There are a few differences between a professional engineer and an environmental engineer in terms of educational background:
| Professional Engineer | Environmental Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of California, Berkeley |
Here are the differences between professional engineers' and environmental engineers' demographics:
| Professional Engineer | Environmental Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% | Male, 70.5% Female, 29.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 12.6% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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 | 5% | 13% |