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A Sanitary Engineer plays a crucial role in maintaining public health standards. As of October 2025, the average salary stands at $78,240 per year, or approximately $38 per hour. This salary can vary significantly depending on various factors, including experience, location, and specific employers.
Experience Level is a significant determinant of salary. Entry-level positions may start lower, but with additional years and specialized knowledge, salaries can increase substantially. For instance, senior engineers or those in management roles often earn significantly more.
Regional Variations also impact earnings. States like California and Texas tend to offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled engineers. Understanding these dynamics can help prospective employees make informed career decisions.
Job Opportunities in this field are diverse, spanning various industries such as public health, environmental consulting, and government agencies. As the need for sustainable practices grows, so too do the opportunities for Sanitary Engineers.
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level sanitary engineer | $61,400 | $29.50 |
| Mid-level sanitary engineer | $80,100 | $38.53 |
| Senior-level sanitary engineer | $101,000 | $48.63 |
The highest-paying states for sanitary engineers are Alaska, Washington, and Massachusetts. The lowest average sanitary engineer salary states are South Carolina, New Mexico, and Alabama.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $104,864 | $50.42 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $94,457 | $45.41 |
| 3 | Alaska | $107,135 | $51.51 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $92,365 | $44.41 |
| 5 | Arizona | $81,463 | $39.16 |
| 6 | California | $89,879 | $43.21 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $85,398 | $41.06 |
| 8 | Vermont | $82,485 | $39.66 |
| 9 | Nevada | $81,347 | $39.11 |
| 10 | Ohio | $81,134 | $39.01 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $79,987 | $38.46 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $86,214 | $41.45 |
| 13 | New York | $80,625 | $38.76 |
| 14 | Maine | $80,269 | $38.59 |
| 15 | Iowa | $78,765 | $37.87 |
| 16 | Maryland | $78,347 | $37.67 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $75,962 | $36.52 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $80,938 | $38.91 |
| 19 | Texas | $75,807 | $36.45 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $76,887 | $36.96 |
| 21 | Colorado | $76,941 | $36.99 |
| 22 | Hawaii | $78,866 | $37.92 |
| 23 | Indiana | $75,493 | $36.29 |
| 24 | Delaware | $75,198 | $36.15 |
| 25 | Florida | $75,669 | $36.38 |
| 26 | Oregon | $75,524 | $36.31 |
| 27 | Virginia | $75,713 | $36.40 |
| 28 | Rhode Island | $77,457 | $37.24 |
| 29 | Illinois | $75,887 | $36.48 |
| 30 | Connecticut | $77,643 | $37.33 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $72,420 | $34.82 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $75,531 | $36.31 |
| 33 | Georgia | $73,492 | $35.33 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $72,783 | $34.99 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $69,032 | $33.19 |
| 36 | Utah | $68,930 | $33.14 |
| 37 | Missouri | $73,432 | $35.30 |
| 38 | Michigan | $67,479 | $32.44 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $69,401 | $33.37 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $67,496 | $32.45 |
| 41 | Kansas | $70,444 | $33.87 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $67,268 | $32.34 |
| 43 | Montana | $70,102 | $33.70 |
| 44 | Alabama | $60,738 | $29.20 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $67,148 | $32.28 |
| 46 | Idaho | $62,661 | $30.13 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $61,510 | $29.57 |
| 48 | New Mexico | $61,403 | $29.52 |
| 49 | Tennessee | $60,009 | $28.85 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $54,917 | $26.40 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $59,526 | $28.62 |
The highest-paying cities for sanitary engineers are Sacramento, CA, New York, NY, and Baltimore, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento, CA | $92,550 | $44.50 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $80,614 | $38.76 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $78,488 | $37.73 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $77,048 | $37.04 |
| 5 | Alexandria, VA | $76,357 | $36.71 |
| 6 | Tampa, FL | $76,197 | $36.63 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $76,059 | $36.57 |
| 8 | Indianapolis, IN | $75,344 | $36.22 |
| 9 | Saint Louis, MO | $73,689 | $35.43 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $67,521 | $32.46 |
A sanitary engineer's salary ranges from $58,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $104,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $8,667 | $50 |
| 75th Percentile | $91,000 | $7,583 | $44 |
| Average | $78,240 | $6,520 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,000 | $5,583 | $32 |
| 10th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
The highest paying types of sanitary engineers are engineer, construction engineer, and junior engineer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor Technician | $29,785 | $2,482 | $14.32 | 31,859 |
| Custodian | $30,176 | $2,515 | $14.51 | 47,364 |
| Floor Staff | $33,187 | $2,766 | $15.96 | 84,351 |
| General Cleaner | $27,205 | $2,267 | $13.08 | 96,320 |
| Porter | $29,861 | $2,488 | $14.36 | 87,777 |
| Cleaner | $28,075 | $2,340 | $13.50 | 74,355 |
Top companies hiring sanitary engineers now:
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) | $82,126 | $39.48 |
| 2 | State of Connecticut | $78,353 | $37.67 |
| 3 | HDR | $77,925 | $37.46 |
The average sanitary engineer salary has risen by $18,054 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average sanitary engineer earned $60,186 annually, but today, they earn $78,240 a year. That works out to a 20% change in pay for sanitary engineers over the last decade.
Compare sanitary engineer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare sanitary engineer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $78,200 | $37.62 | +5.7% |
| 2024 | $73,800 | $35.48 | +4.8% |
| 2023 | $70,200 | $33.77 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $67,200 | $32.32 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | $65,100 | $31.29 | +3.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota City Jobs | Sanitary Sewer Engineer | Rochester, MN | 04/24/2025 | $95,595 |
| City of Rochester, Mn | Sanitary Sewer Engineer | Rochester, MN | 04/22/2025 | $95,595 |
| Richland County, Sc | Sanitary Engineer | Lake Murray of Richland, SC | 03/27/2025 | $79,779 |
| E-Volve Information Technology Services, LLC | Associate/Assistant Engineer (Long-Term, Limited Duration) With Union Sanitary District | Union City, CA | 02/19/2025 | $125,072 |
| Sheriff.Starkcountyohio.gov | Sanitary Engineering Department-Wastewater Monitoring Technician | Canton, OH | 02/17/2025 | $48,794 |
| Aahealth | Sanitary Engineering Summer Students | Annapolis, MD | 02/17/2025 | $41,740 |
| Medina County, Oh | Wastewater Operator-Sanitary Engineer's Office | Medina, OH | 01/15/2025 | $51,132 |
| Medinacountyprobation | Water Distribution Worker-Sanitary Engineer's Office | Medina, OH | 10/23/2024 | $38,004 |
| Sheriff.Starkcountyohio.gov | Sanitary Engineering Department-Laborer-2 Positions Available | Canton, OH | 10/23/2024 | $41,740 |
| Medinacountyprobation | Wastewater Operator-Sanitary Engineers' Office | Medina, OH | 09/26/2024 | $43,827 |
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