Working as an Environmental Engineer
Industry Overview
Environmental engineering is a new type of engineering that is related to civil engineering, chemical engineering, environmental sciences, and other related disciplines. People with this job must understand the sustainable – or green – elements related to how a project will affect the environment. Project plans need to address sustainability, the impact of the project on the environment and how it will affect the community where it is being built. Many people in the field design and run waste and water treatment systems. They may work on water filtration plants or sewage treatment systems. Some work in the management of solid waste. They may design composting systems or landfills. Others figure out ways to get rid of or store toxic materials.
Job Outlook in BC
In British Columbia, environmental engineers are considered to be a specialization within the field of civil engineering.
Job prospects for Civil Engineers
Chart from WorkBC
WorkBC also provides Regional Outlooks.
You can learn more about working as an environmental engineer from:
Types of Employers
Environmental engineers work for:
- Federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal government departments
- government agencies
- engineering consulting firms
- companies in resource industries such as forestry, mining, petroleum, and pulp & paper
- environmental companies that deal with problems such as oil spills and toxic chemical leaks
- property development/management companies
Salary
In BC, the median annual salary for civil engineers (including environmental) is $92,246. Senior engineers or those in management positions may earn more. Experience and level of responsibility can affect income. Education is also a key factor. People who have a graduate degree tend to have higher earnings than those with a Bachelor’s degree. Income varies according to the employer – if you work for the government or large private companies you may earn more than others.
In addition to your salary, full-time engineers often receive benefits such as pension plans, dental coverage, sick leave, and paid vacations.
Job Bank Canada provides average salaries in BC regions where you can expect to earn:
Hourly Wages – Civil Engineers, including Environmental Engineers
Source: Job Bank, Wage Report
In its 2016** Report on Members’ Compensation and Benefits, Engineers & Geoscientists British Columbia (formerly APEGBC) provides these salary figures:
| Mean | Lower Quartile |
Median | Upper Quartile |
|
| Engineering Consulting – Environmental | $92,399 | $65,000 | $75,000 | $115,500 |
| Bachelor’s degree – Base salary – Environmental Engineer | $87,446 | $85,000 |
**latest edition available
Source: Engineers & Geoscientists British Columbia
Working Hours
Engineers work between 8 and 10 hours a day, 40 to 50 hours a week. Most engineers have regular schedules. They work 8 to 10 hours a day, and 40 to 50 hours a week. They may have to put in longer hours in a crisis situation.