Employment of environmental engineers is projected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.
State and local governments’ concerns about water are leading to efforts to increase the efficiency of water use. This focus differs from that of wastewater treatment, for which this occupation is traditionally known.
The requirement by the federal government to clean up contaminated sites is expected to help sustain demand for these engineers’ services. Additionally, wastewater treatment is becoming a larger concern in areas of the country where new methods of drilling for shale gas require the use and disposal of massive volumes of water. Environmental engineers will continue to be needed to help utilities and water treatment plants comply with any new federal or state environmental regulations.
All levels of government must comply with environmental regulations, especially federal. Because of this, employment of environmental engineers within the government sector as a whole should remain relatively stable through the year 2020.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition