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Environmental Engineering Director Salary in the United States

How much does an Environmental Engineering Director make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Environmental Engineering Director in the United States is $192,360 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $92.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $203,297
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $181,764 to $198,085
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $172,117
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Environmental Engineering Director Salaries

An Environmental Engineering Director'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Environmental Engineering Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Environmental Engineering Director'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 Engineering Senior Supervisor (3-5 years): $105,367
  • Environmental Engineering Manager (5+ years): $122,391
  • Environmental Engineering Senior Manager (5+ years): $168,371
  • Environmental Engineering Director (5+ years): $192,360
  • VP of Environmental Engineering (5+ years): $242,156
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Environmental Engineering Senior Supervisor3-5 years$105,367
Environmental Engineering Manager5+ years$122,391
Environmental Engineering Senior Manager5+ years$168,371
Environmental Engineering Director5+ years$192,360
VP of Environmental Engineering5+ years$242,156
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How Do Environmental Engineering Directors Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Environmental Engineering Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $212,981.
  • California: $212,173.
  • Massachusetts: $209,345.

Top Paying Cities for Environmental Engineering Director

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: $242,624
  • San Francisco: $239,967
  • Oakland: $234,910

Environmental Engineering Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Environmental Engineering Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $215,336. While startup companies pay approximate $182,169.

Environmental Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $182,169
Growth Stage 51~500 $192,665
Established 501~5000 $207,945
Enterprise 5000+ $215,336

Environmental Engineering Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Environmental Engineering Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 41% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Environmental Engineering Director positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Environmental Engineering Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Environmental Engineering Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$230,832$111.020%
Internet$226,985$109.018%
Biotechnology$221,214$106.015%
Healthcare$215,443$104.012%
Energy & Utilities$211,596$102.010%

Environmental Engineering Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Environmental Engineering Director'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 August 01, 2026
$181,764
Average $192,360/year
$198,085
$15,147
Average $16,030/month
$16,507
$3,495
Average $3,699/week
$3,809
$87
Average $92/hour
$95
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $198,085 $16,507 $3,809 $95
Average $192,360 $16,030 $3,699 $92
25th Percentile $181,764 $15,147 $3,495 $87

Environmental Engineering Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Environmental Engineering Director

Next Role

For an Environmental Engineering Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Environmental Engineering role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $242,156 - a projected growth of 26% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Environmental Engineering Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Environmental Engineering Director

Here are companies hiring for Environmental Engineering Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Environmental Engineering Director

1. Where can an Environmental Engineering Director earn the most?

An Environmental Engineering Director'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 Engineering Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Environmental Engineering Director is $242,624.

2. What is the highest pay for Environmental Engineering Director?

The highest pay for Environmental Engineering Director is $203,297.

3. What is the lowest pay for Environmental Engineering Director?

The lowest pay for Environmental Engineering Director is $172,117.

4. What are the responsibilities of Environmental Engineering Director?

Directs the overall environmental engineering operations and strategy within an organization. Develops and designs policies and procedures to guide environmental experiments and analysis. Ensures all projects, initiatives, and processes are in conformance with the organization's established policies and objectives. Collaborates and partners with key stakeholders to align priorities and drive projects forward. Stays abreast of advancements in environmental engineering and industry best practices. 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 senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Environmental Engineering Director?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Environmental Engineering Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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