Written by: Andria Sahar
Edited by: Mannat Malhan
Designed by: Jedrick Asuncion
Published by: Rayna Almas
The term engineer is common, especially because it covers so many different types of jobs. Most commonly, we probably hear of engineers in terms of technology and mechanics. But did you know there are engineers who focus on protecting the Earth? There are, and they’re called Environmental Engineers.
What Exactly Do Environmental Engineers Do?
At its core, engineering means to design and build — usually machines or technology.
But, for Environmental Engineers, however, they focus on creating solutions that protect our planet. This type of engineering involves things like soil science, biology, and chemistry.
To put it simply, environmental engineers find efficient solutions to environmental problems involving things like pollution, public health, and sustainability. Yet at the same time, they research how human activity impacts different environments. This work also includes helping develop environmentally friendly technology and other sets of work revolving around taking care of our environment.
Environmental Engineers have tasks such as overseeing pollution control and waste management, staying up to date with current environmental regulations (water, air, waste), and generating environmental reports. Their goal is to improve the quality of the world around us.
Their Importance?
From the information listed above, you’re getting a good gist of their importance. This might provoke the question above to pop up in your head. But to answer this thought, environmental engineers help ensure the world around us is a good place for us to thrive in, while keeping our environment in a sustainable condition.
Some contributions linked to their importance include:
- Helping with wastewater treatments
- Controlling pollution
- Maintaining healthy public health
- Protecting our ecosystems
- Limiting our greenhouse gases
Where and How Do Environmental Engineers Work?
Environmental engineers work at places like environmental consulting firms and government-authorized departments. Colleagues, universities, research institutes, and other engineering service firms are all in their field of view.
Their work environment is usually equally spent indoors and outdoors. Outside, environmental engineers tour and inspect sites, test out their designs, supervise what is happening with the projects, and do other things depending on the task given to them.
Inside, usually in an office setting, environmental engineers tend to do paperwork, analyze and prepare reports, and conduct research. As each environment differs from another, they are usually given a specific task, depending on where they work.
Are There Different Kinds of Tasks For Each Engineer?
Since they do juggle a lot of tasks, some might wonder if there are specific types of environmental engineers, just as there are different types of lawyers or doctors. But for environmental engineers, their current work depends on what they are working on in general. Which is influenced by the firm they are working in, the environment, etc, as mentioned above.
Income for Environmental Engineers
In Canada, taking into consideration the province or territory they live in, their work experience, and the tasks they are taking, their salaries can vary from $88 000 to $120 000. This obviously can fluctuate due to the rapid changes in technology all around the world. In Ontario, the average salary is around $117 000. So speaking in terms of money, the job pays well.
How To Become an Environmental Engineer?
For this job, there is a specific Bachelor’s degree, found in specific university programs. Typically, this degree takes 4 years to complete. After getting your degree, to become a certified environmental engineer, you will need to pass the professional practice exam.
If the degree is not available at the university someone plans to attend, similar degrees in civil, chemical, mechanical, or generalized engineering are likely to work.
An example of a university that offers the course is the University of Waterloo. From high school, to get into the program at this university, you will need to have taken Advanced functions, Calculus and Vectors, Physics, Chemistry, and English. A minimum of 70% is required to apply. But depending on where you are, admission requirements will differ.
How Do I Know If This Is My Path?
To understand if you want to become an environmental engineer, consider whether the tasks of this type of job interest you. Which means finding out if you’re a person who likes having a balance in working both indoors and outdoors, and you want to find a job that requires only a four-year bachelor’s degree. But most importantly, you need to have a passion for engineering and the environment!
So the next time you’re considering job opportunities, and you happen to be an engineering and environmental enthusiast, refer back to this blog post. And even if you don’t do that, at least you know that engineering doesn’t just apply to fancy machines and robots.
Bibliography
Works Cited
Environmental Engineer. (2025, August 22). Unity Environmental University. https://unity.edu/careers/environmental-engineer/#What_is_an_Environmental_Engineer
Environmental Engineer | ECO Canada. (2025, July 4). ECO Canada. https://eco.ca/career-profiles/environmental-engineer/
Master of Engineering, Environmental Engineering. (2024). Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering. https://civmin.utoronto.ca/environmental-engineering-emphasis/
7 Different Types of Environmental Engineering Jobs. (2023, September 5). Johns Hopkins Engineering Online. https://ep.jhu.edu/news/7-different-types-of-environmental-engineering-jobs/
Environmental Engineer Salary in Canada — Average Salary. (2025). Talent.com. https://ca.talent.com/salary?job=environmental+engineer
“Why Environmental Engineering Is Important for Our Planet?” Cypress, 8 Nov. 2023, cypressei.com/engineering/why-environmental-engineering-is-important/.
Images were taken from Unsplash.