As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Senior Environmental Engineer in the United States is $50, which translates to an annual salary of about $104,300.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
Senior Environmental Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $115,700 | $9,642 | $2,225 | $56 |
| Average | $104,300 | $8,692 | $2,006 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,500 | $8,042 | $1,856 | $46 |
A Senior Environmental Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Senior Environmental Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Environmental Engineer | 0-2 years | $75,657 |
| Intermediate Environmental Engineer | 2-4 years | $88,401 |
| Senior Environmental Engineer | 4-7 years | $104,293 |
| Specialist Environmental Engineer | 7+ years | $127,545 |
| Expert-Team Lead Environmental Engineer | 7-10 years | $155,721 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Consulting | 7% |
| AutoCAD | 1.75% |
| Field Engineering | 1.75% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Senior Environmental Engineer's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Client Relationship | $108,472 | |
| Consultancy | $108,472 | |
| Insight | $108,472 |
Senior Environmental Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $116,560. While startup companies pay approximate $98,598.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $98,598 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $104,277 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $112,553 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $116,560 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Senior Environmental Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Senior Environmental Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $104,984 and $111,840).
| Typical Education for Senior Environmental Engineer | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 0.6% |
| High School | 0.6% |
| Associates | 0.4% |
| Bachelors | 36.0% |
| Masters | 50.8% |
| Doctorate | 12.2% |
Understanding how a Senior Environmental Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $115,700 | $9,642 | $2,225 | $56 |
| Average | $104,300 | $8,692 | $2,006 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,500 | $8,042 | $1,856 | $46 |
Salaries for a Senior Environmental Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $99,892 in 2023 to around $98,189 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Senior Environmental Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $99,892 |
| 2024 | $99,190 |
| 2025 | $98,189 |
| 2026 |
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| 2027 |
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The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Senior Environmental Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
Among engineering roles, Senior Environmental Engineers earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $99,400, a mid-range of $111,400, and a maximum of $124,400. While various engineering disciplines offer high pay, Senior Environmental Engineers are well-compensated, reflecting the importance of their work in sustainability and environmental protection.
While some engineers can earn high salaries, the typical range for a Senior Environmental Engineer is between $99,400 and $124,400 annually, with a mid-salary of $111,400. Achieving a $500k salary usually requires significant experience, specialized skills, and often includes bonuses and equity at top-tier companies.
The highest salary for a Senior Environmental Engineer is $124,400 annually. The salary range typically spans from a minimum of $99,400 to a midpoint of $111,400, reflecting the varying levels of experience and responsibility within the field.
The highest paid environmental jobs include roles like Director of Sustainability, with salaries ranging from $281,000 to $400,000 per year. Other notable positions are Environmental Director and Environmental Manager. For a Senior Environmental Engineer, the salary ranges from $99,400 to $124,400, with a mid-salary of $111,400, reflecting the demand for expertise in this field.
Cons of Environmental Engineering include technical requirements, as strong skills in mathematics, physics, and engineering principles are essential, which can be challenging for some. Additionally, the job may involve physical demands, with fieldwork in difficult environments like construction sites or contaminated areas. Salary ranges for Senior Environmental Engineers are between $99,400 and $124,400, with a midpoint of $111,400.
Among engineering roles, Senior Environmental Engineers have competitive salaries, with a minimum of $99,400, a mid-range of $111,400, and a maximum of $124,400. While other engineering fields may offer higher salaries, the environmental sector remains a lucrative option, especially considering the growing demand for sustainability and environmental protection.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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