25 Best States for Environmental Engineers

Here are the best states for environmental engineers where you will discover places ready to offer an annual salary of $105,000 to these professionals. With growing awareness about the environmental impact of human activity the demand for the occupation will be high in coming years. It is projected that the number of available jobs for environmental engineers will increase 12% which is well above the national average for all occupations in the USA.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that 55,100 people work in the field and by 2024 there will 62,000 environmental engineers in America. The annual median salary for the occupation is 84,560$, with 10% earning around $129,000 yearly. The oil industry is the best paying, but the greatest concentration of the jobs can be found in architectural, engineering and related services.

Compared to other engineering professions environmental engineers can expect a moderate salary. They earn more than civil engineers, as you can see on our previous ranking of 25 Best States for Civil Engineers, but they are less compensated than chemical engineers.

As said before the demand for environmental engineers is mainly driven by consequences of growing pollution. These professional are educated to minimize harmful impact of industry, manufacturing, mining by designing processes and equipment that will prevent and control releases of harmful substances into the air, water, and soil. Besides protecting surrounding from environmental hazards, they also work on damage control in cases when contamination takes place. Environmental engineers first must identify the source of contamination and then they try to find the ways of eliminating or reducing pollutants without closing down the business.

Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a related field is necessary for those who want to work in the field. Note that these days more and more employers give an advantage to candidates who have a master diploma, so it is better to choose five-year degree program which secures MA degree. Also, employers might prefer applicants who graduate from programs accredited by ABET. Professional engineering (PE) license is not required for entry-level positions, but those who want to advance must obtain PE.

While creating the ranking of best states for environmental engineers we considered annual median salary as determined by BLS, job growth obtained from Projection Central, and costs of living. We ranked states by these three criteria and then calculated the average score. In cases when two or more states had the same average score the order in which they appear depends on salary and costs of living.

25. Nevada

Annual median wage: $76,160

Rank by annual median wage: 35

Job growth: 26.1%

Rank by job growth: 4

Cost of living index: 104.5

Rank by cost of living index: 36

Average score: 25

Nevada found a place on this list only because of job growth which is the fourth-highest in the country. In terms of other criteria, Nevada is not the best choice for environmental engineers. The annual median wage is some $8,000 lower compared to the national average while costs of living are the 14th highest in America.

24. Alabama

Annual median wage: $77,210

Rank by annual median wage: 30

Job growth: 13%

Rank by job growth: 32

Cost of living index: 91.2

Rank by cost of living index: 12

Average score: 24.66

In Alabama, environmental engineers cannot count on a high paycheck. However, the state falls into the category of cheaper ones. Also, Alabama will add on average 40 new jobs for the occupation yearly by 2024.

23. New Hampshire

Annual median wage: $84,040

Rank by annual median wage: 22

Job growth: 22.6%

Rank by job growth: 11

Cost of living index: 119.2

Rank by cost of living index: 40

Average score: 24.33

The annual median wage for environmental engineers in New Hampshire is at the level of the national average. Note though that the state is the 11th most costly place in America. Although job growth for the occupation of 22.6% might seem high, it actually means that the state will add 10 new jobs per year by 2024.

22. Virginia

Annual median wage: $86,590

Rank by annual median wage: 16

Job growth: 15.5%

Rank by job growth: 28

Cost of living index: 100.2

Rank by cost of living index: 28

Average score: 24

Compared to previously mentioned New Hampshire, Virginia is a better bargain for environmental engineers – not only that salary is better, but the costs of living are lower. Job increase of 15.5% will account for 90 new openings yearly in the future.

21. Illinois

Annual median wage: $84,610

Rank by annual median wage: 21

Job growth: 15.6%

Rank by job growth: 27

Cost of living index: 95.5

Rank by cost of living index: 21

Average score: 23

In Illinois, environmental engineers can expect salary close to the national average. In terms of costs of living the state falls in the middle, while job growth of 15.6% accounts for 60 job openings per year.

20. Maryland

Annual median wage: $86,720

Rank by annual median wage: 15

Job growth: 23.3%

Rank by job growth: 10

Cost of living index: 125

Rank by cost of living index: 44

Average score: 23

Maryland is the second most expensive state on this list. However, the annual median wage for environmental engineers is above the national average, and there will be 60 new job posts per year by 2024.

19. Oregon

Annual median wage: $88,450

Rank by annual median wage: 11

Job growth: 20.5%

Rank by job growth: 16

Cost of living index: 115.4

Rank by cost of living index: 39

Average score: 22

In Oregon, environmental engineers can expect nice paycheck, solid job growth, but also high costs of living, which are the reasons why the state did not rank higher on this list.

18. Arizona

Annual median wage: $76,360

Rank by annual median wage: 33

Job growth: 25%

Rank by job growth: 7

Cost of living index: 98.1

Rank by cost of living index: 25

Average score: 21.66

Arizona offers completely different conditions to environmental engineers compared to previously listed Oregon. The workers earn far less but they do not need to worry about high living costs since the state is moderately expensive. Arizona will record seventh largest job growth for the occupation in America.

17. Arkansas

Annual median wage: $73,800

Rank by annual median wage: 38

Job growth: 16.6%

Rank by job growth: 23

Cost of living index: 88.5

Rank by cost of living index: 4

Average score: 21.66

Arkansas has the same average score as Arizona, but it ranks higher because it has the fourth lowest costs of living in America. The annual median wage is also the third lowest on this list, and the state will have moderate job growth.

16.Ohio

Annual median wage: $88,410

Rank by annual median wage: 12

Job growth: 12.1%

Rank by job growth: 35

Cost of living index: 93

Rank by cost of living index: 18

Average score: 21.66

Ohio, which is a moderately expensive state, offers salary higher than the national average. In terms of job growth for the occupation, the state is near the level of America’s average – 12.1% increase accounts for 40 new posts per year by 2024.

15. Indiana

Annual median wage: $72,380

Rank by annual median wage: 43

Job growth: 19.6%

Rank by job growth: 19

Cost of living index: 87.9

Rank by cost of living index: 2

Average score: 21.33

Indiana is the lowest paying state for environmental engineers among listed places. However, it is also the cheapest one, so the annual median wage of $72,380 might be enough to make a comfortable living. Job growth of 19.6% means that there will be 30 new posts for the occupation per year by 2024.

14. California

Annual median wage: $101,060

Rank by annual median wage: 3

Job growth: 21.1%

Rank by job growth: 13

Cost of living index: 134.8

Rank by cost of living index: 48

Average score: 21.33

Although California is second-best paying state among listed places, it is also the most expensive one which is the reason why it occupies the 14th place among 25 best states for environmental engineers. California is also the place which hires the highest number of environmental engineers and which will experience strong job growth for the occupation.

13. Washington

Annual median wage: $92,560

Rank by annual median wage: 4

Job growth: 18.2%

Rank by job growth: 21

Cost of living index: 107.1

Rank by cost of living index: 37

Average score: 20.66

The salary which is some $6,000 above the national average, solid employment opportunities and relatively high costs of living – these are three things that environmental engineers can expect in Washington.

12.New Mexico

Annual median wage: $104,860

Rank by annual median wage: 2

Job growth: 12.8%

Rank by job growth: 34

Cost of living index: 95.7

Rank by cost of living index: 23

Average score: 19.66

New Mexico is the best-paying state among listed place. It is also the state with the second highest salary for the occupation in the USA (only in Alaska, where median wage is $107,400, environmental engineers earn more). Besides, New Mexico falls into the category of moderately expensive states. It does not occupy a higher place on this list because of 12.8% job growth which is lower compared to job increases in many other ranked states.

11. Oklahoma

Annual median wage: $79,930

Rank by annual median wage: 27

Job growth: 15.7%

Rank by job growth: 26

Cost of living index: 88.6

Rank by cost of living index: 5

Average score: 19.33

We are continuing our list of best states for environmental engineers with Oklahoma, which is the fifth cheapest state in America, offers a salary that is a little below the national average and 15.7% job growth for the occupation, i.e. 20 new posts per year by 2024.

10. Louisiana

Annual median wage: $86,580

Rank by annual median wage: 17

Job growth: 19%

Rank by job growth: 20

Cost of living index: 94.4

Rank by cost of living index: 20

Average score: 19

Solid salary and employment prospects, coupled with relatively low costs of living, make Louisiana a desirable option for environmental engineers.

9. Utah

Annual median wage: $79,310

Rank by annual median wage: 28

Job growth: 24%

Rank by job growth: 9

Cost of living index: 92.8

Rank by cost of living index: 17

Average score: 18

The main reason why Utah ranks so high on this list of best states for environmental engineers is 24% job growth for environmental engineers which is the ninth highest increase in America. Regarding other criteria, the state, which belongs to a group of cheaper places in the USA, offers salary below the national average.

8. Kentucky

Annual median wage: $73,150

Rank by annual median wage: 40

Job growth: 26.5%

Rank by job growth: 3

Cost of living index: 90.8

Rank by cost of living index: 10

Average score: 17.66

With the annual mean wage of $73,150, Kentucky is the lowest paying state on this list of best states for environmental engineers. On the bright side, Kentucky will record the third highest job growth for the occupation (26.5% increase will account for 80 new posts per year). Additionally, wage lower than the national average doesn’t mean that environmental engineers need to tighten the belt since Kentucky is the 10th cheapest state in America.

7. Nebraska

Annual median wage: $77,080

Rank by annual median wage: 32

Job growth: 24.7%

Rank by job growth: 8

Cost of living index: 91.3

Rank by cost of living index: 13

Average score: 17.6

Nebraska has the same average score as previously mentioned Kentucky, but it ranked better on this list of best states for environmental engineers, because of a higher wage. The state falls into the category of affordable ones, and environmental engineers in Nebraska should not worry about employment opportunities as Nebraska will record 24.7% job growth for the occupation.

6. Michigan

Annual median wage: $83,870

Rank by annual median wage: 23

Job growth: 16.3%

Rank by job growth: 24

Cost of living index: 88.2

Rank by cost of living index: 3

Average score: 16.66

We are continuing our list of best states for environmental engineers with Michigan is the third most affordable state in America. The annual median wage of $83,870 should be more than enough to secure comfortable living. The job increase of 16.3% will account for 70 new posts per year by 2024.

5. Kansas

Annual median wage: $90,000

Rank by annual median wage: 8

Job growth: 12.8%

Rank by job growth: 33

Cost of living index: 90.4

Rank by cost of living index: 8

Average score: 16.33

With the annual median wage of $90,000, environmental engineers in Kansas can put some money aside. The state is among the cheapest ones in America. The job increase of 12.8% is at the level of the national average for the occupation, and it will account for 10 new openings per year.

4. Colorado

Annual median wage: $90,390

Rank by annual median wage: 7

Job growth: 36.5%

Rank by job growth: 1

Cost of living index: 102.1

Rank by cost of living index: 32

Average score: 13.33

The main reason why Colorado ranks high on this list of best states for environmental engineers is the job growth for the occupation. The increase of 36.5% is the highest in America, and it will account for 130 new jobs per year by 2024. The annual median wage of $90,390 is well above the national average. Note though that Colorado is a costly state.

3. Tennessee

Annual median wage: $88,330

Rank by annual median wage: 13

Job growth: 20.8%

Rank by job growth: 15

Cost of living index: 89.8

Rank by cost of living index: 7

Average score: 11.66

In an affordable state such as Tennessee, that ranks third in our list of best states for environmental engineers, the annual median wage of $88,330 is more than enough to meet all needs. In addition, environmental engineers shouldn’t worry about the lack of employment opportunities since Tennessee will see 20.8% job growth for the occupation.

2. Texas

Annual median wage: $92,270

Rank by annual median wage: 5

Job growth: 25.8%

Rank by job growth: 5

Cost of living index: 90.7

Rank by cost of living index: 9

Average score: 6.33

Texas ranks second in our list of best states for environmental engineers. It is a little bit more expensivthanat just mentioned Tennessee, but it is also more generous toward environmental engineers since the annual median wage is $92,270. The job increase of 25.8% will account for 150 new posts per year.

1. Idaho

Annual median wage: $88,510

Rank by annual median wage: 10

Job growth: 30.9%

Rank by job growth: 2

Cost of living index: 89.6

Rank by cost of living index: 6

Average score: 6

In Idaho, which occupies the first spot on the list of best states for environmental engineers, salary is not as great as in some other listed places. However, it is still above the national average, and it secures nice life in one of the most affordable states in America. The job increase of 30.9%, which is second highest in the USA, means that there will be 220 openings for the occupation per year in the future.