Entry Level Environmental Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Environmental Engineer in the United States is $78,051 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,475
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,543 to $86,125
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,618
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View as table View as graph 25% $71,543 10% $65,618 90% $93,475 75% $86,125 $78,051 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Entry Level Environmental Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $86,125 $7,177 $1,656 $41
Average $78,051 $6,504 $1,501 $38
25th Percentile $71,543 $5,962 $1,376 $34
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Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Environmental Engineer Salaries

An Entry Level 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.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Level Environmental Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $77,458
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $90,506
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $106,773
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $130,577
  • Expert (over 8 years): $159,430
Levels Salary
Entry Lev... Level Entry Level Environmental Engineer$77,458
Environme... Level Entry Level Environmental Engineer$90,506
Environme... Level Entry Level Environmental Engineer$106,773
Environme... Level Entry Level Environmental Engineer$130,577
Environme... Level Entry Level Environmental Engineer$159,430
$77,458 0 yr
$90,506 < 2 yrs
$106,773 2-4 yrs
$130,577 5-8 yrs
$159,430 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level Environmental Engineers

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: $98,446
  • San Francisco: $97,368
  • Oakland: $95,316

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Level Environmental Engineer'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 Entry Level Environmental Engineer'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
$85,856
10%
3D Modeling
$85,856
10%
Collaboration
$83,515
7%
Alignment
$83,515
7%
Innovation
$82,734
6%
Technical Writing
$82,734
6%
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Entry Level Environmental Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Level Environmental Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Entry Level Environmental Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Environmental Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Entry Level Environmental Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$105,369$51.035%
Biotechnology$101,467$49.030%
Energy & Utilities$93,662$45.020%
Financial Services$93,662$45.020%
Internet$89,759$43.015%

How Education impacts an Entry Level Environmental Engineer's Salary?

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

Entry Level Environmental Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Level Environmental Engineer
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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Entry Level Environmental Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Level 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Entry Level Environmental Engineer

Salaries for an Entry Level Environmental Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $68,522 in 2023 to around $68,328 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Level Environmental Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Entry Level Environmental Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$68,522
2024
$68,989
2025
$68,328
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $68,522
2024 $68,989
2025 $68,328
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Entry Level Environmental Engineer

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

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

Find Your Next Entry Level Environmental Engineer Job

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

United States
  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    7 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    8 Days Ago

  • The Curare Group, Inc

    Columbus, OH

    The Curare Group, Inc | Columbus, OH

    Hospital is seeking a Board Certified/Board Eligible Pediatrician to join a well-respected and growing practice located an hour from Columbus. Only Pediatr... more

    8 Days Ago

  • OhioHealth

    Columbus, OH

    OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    Join an award winning, physician-led health system that prides itself on an inclusive, collegial and innovative culture. As an Anesthesiologist at OhioHeal... more

    8 Days Ago

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FAQ about Entry Level Environmental Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Level Environmental Engineer?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Level Environmental Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 35% 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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