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Environmental Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does an Environmental Engineer I make in the United States?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for an Environmental Engineer I in the United States is $75,657 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

However, an Environmental Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,717
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,305 to $83,540
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,522
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View as table View as graph 25% $69,305 10% $63,522 90% $90,717 75% $83,540 $75,657 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Environmental Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $83,540 $6,962 $1,607 $40
Average $75,657 $6,305 $1,455 $36
25th Percentile $69,305 $5,775 $1,333 $33
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Key Factors That Influence Environmental Engineer I Salaries

An Environmental Engineer I'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.

How Experience Level Affects Environmental Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Environmental Engineer I'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:

  • Environmental Engineer I (0-2 years): $75,657
  • Environmental Engineer II (2-4 years): $88,407
  • Environmental Engineer III (4-7 years): $104,281
  • Environmental Engineer IV (7+ years): $127,528
  • Environmental Engineer V (7-10 years): $155,737
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Environmental Engineer I0-2 years$75,657
Environmental Engineer II2-4 years$88,407
Environmental Engineer III4-7 years$104,281
Environmental Engineer IV7+ years$127,528
Environmental Engineer V7-10 years$155,737
$75,657 Environme...
$88,407 Environme...
$104,281 Environme...
$127,528 Environme...
$155,737 Environme...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Environmental Engineer Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $95,426
  • San Francisco: $94,488
  • Oakland: $92,392

What Skills Can Increase an Environmental Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.38% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Design Engineering (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): Creating a system, component, or process to develop new products and systems.
  • Chemical Engineering (Mentioned in 1.52% Job Postings): Chemical engineering is a branch of engineering that uses principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and economics to efficiently use, produce, design, transport and transform energy and materials. The work of chemical engineers can range from the utilisation of nano-technology and nano-materials in the laboratory to large-scale industrial processes that convert chemicals, raw materials, living cells, microorganisms, and energy into useful forms and products. Chemical engineers are involved in many aspects of plant design and operation, including safety and hazard assessments, process design and analysis, modeling, control engineering, chemical reaction engineering, nuclear engineering, biological engineering, construction specification, and operating instructions. Chemical engineers typically hold a degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering. Practising engineers may have professional certification and be accredited members of a professional body. Such bodies include the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) or the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). A degree in chemical engineering is directly linked with all of the other engineering disciplines, to various extents.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.38%
Design Engineering 2.13%
Chemical Engineering 1.52%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
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 an Environmental Engineer I's salary.
  • CAD: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • 3D Modeling: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
CAD
$83,223
10%
3D Modeling
$83,223
10%
Collaboration
$80,953
7%
Alignment
$80,953
7%
Innovation
$80,196
6%
Technical Writing
$80,196
6%
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How Education impacts an Environmental Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Environmental Engineer Is 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 an Environmental Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $70,991 and $75,776).

Environmental Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Environmental Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 0.7%
Associates 0.4%
Bachelors 44.9%
Masters 49.1%
Doctorate 4.9%
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Environmental Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Environmental Engineer I'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.

Last Updated on March 01, 2026

Environmental Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Environmental Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Environmental Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $88,407 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Environmental Engineer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Environmental Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Environmental Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Environmental Engineer I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Environmental Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Environmental Engineer I

1. Where can an Environmental Engineer I earn the most?

An Environmental Engineer I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Environmental Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Environmental Engineer I is $95,426.

2. What is the highest pay for Environmental Engineer I?

The highest pay for Environmental Engineer I is $90,717.

3. What is the lowest pay for Environmental Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Environmental Engineer I is $63,522.

4. What are the responsibilities of Environmental Engineer I?

Responsible for providing engineering solutions to environmental issues. Conducts environmental experiments to identify, assess, and resolve problems concerning the environment. Analyzes environmental data, reports, and trends and makes recommendations for corrective action. May also design, install, operate, and maintain measuring apparatus to determine the level of pollutants involving air, land, and water. Ensures the organization's compliance with federal, state, and local environmental legislation. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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