Environmental Engineer Salary.
Across 30 U.S. cities.
$90,000
national median salary
$70,000 to $115,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$126,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$94,000
Honolulu, HI
Lowest Paying
$69,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average Environmental Engineer salary in the United States is $90,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $70,000 at the 25th percentile to $115,000 at the 75th. San Francisco pays the most at $126,000, while Honolulu offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. PE licensure, specialization in water treatment or air quality, and experience with EPA regulatory compliance drive the biggest salary differences.
Environmental Engineer salary by city
What you should know
PE licensure, specialization in water treatment or air quality, and experience with EPA regulatory compliance drive the biggest salary differences. Engineers working on remediation of contaminated sites or in the oil and gas sector earn premiums for hazardous conditions expertise.
Junior Environmental Engineers earn $70,000 to $80,000. Mid-career engineers with PE licensure reach $88,000 to $105,000. Senior Engineers and Project Managers command $105,000 to $130,000, while Principal Engineers and Directors at consulting firms exceed $145,000.
PE-licensed engineers receive immediate salary bumps of 10 to 15%. Annual bonuses of 5 to 12% are typical at consulting firms. Government roles offer pension benefits and strong job security, though base salaries trend 10 to 15% lower than private sector.