How Much Does a Senior Environmental Engineer Make? (2025)
A senior environmental engineer plays a crucial role in developing and implementing strategies to address environmental challenges, including pollution control, waste reduction, and sustainable resource management. They oversee major projects, ensure adherence to environmental laws and standards, and often lead multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental engineers earn an annual average salary of $104,170 in May 2024, with overall employment projected to grow by 4% from 2024 to 2034. More recent data from Salary.com shows that senior environmental engineers earn an average of $104,300 per year, or about $50 per hour, as of November 2025.
Continue reading to find detailed insights on senior environmental engineers' salaries, the highest-paying cities, and other key information about this career.
What is the Average Senior Environmental Engineer's Salary?
As mentioned above, the average senior environmental engineer salary in the United States is $104,300 per year or $50 per hour. The average annual wage of senior environmental engineers is between $89,399 and $126,079, with the majority earning between $96,500 and $115,700.
2025 Senior Environmental Engineer Salary: $104,300 ($50 per hour)
Based on the data below, a senior environmental engineer earns an average monthly salary of $8,692, with an average weekly pay of $2,006. At the time of writing, the average hourly wage for these professionals is $50.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $43 | $1,719 | $7,450 | $89,399 |
| 25th Percentile | $46 | $1,856 | $8,042 | $96,500 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $50 | $2,006 | $8,692 | $104,300 |
| 75th Percentile | $56 | $2,225 | $9,642 | $115,700 |
| 90th Percentile | $61 | $2,425 | $10,507 | $126,079 |
Aside from base salary, many senior environmental engineers may also receive additional cash compensation, like bonuses up to $13,900.
Senior Environmental Engineer Salary State by State
The salary of senior environmental engineers varies across U.S. states based on factors such as cost of living, local minimum wage, job demand, and industrial strength.
As presented in the table below, the three states with the reported lowest average annual salary for senior environmental engineers are Mississippi ($93,000), West Virginia ($93,900), and Arkansas ($94,300).
Conversely, the states with the reported highest average annual salaries are Massachusetts ($113,500), California ($115,100), and the District of Columbia ($115,500).
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $112,900 |
| Alabama | $95,800 |
| Arkansas | $94,300 |
| Arizona | $101,700 |
| California | $115,100 |
| Colorado | $106,400 |
| Connecticut | $111,500 |
| District of Columbia | $115,500 |
| Delaware | $105,600 |
| Florida | $98,700 |
| Georgia | $100,600 |
| Hawaii | $109,000 |
| Iowa | $99,800 |
| Idaho | $97,400 |
| Illinois | $106,300 |
| Indiana | $100,100 |
| Kansas | $99,300 |
| Kentucky | $98,200 |
| Louisiana | $99,200 |
| Massachusetts | $113,500 |
| Maryland | $107,600 |
| Maine | $101,700 |
| Michigan | $102,700 |
| Minnesota | $106,800 |
| Missouri | $99,100 |
| Mississippi | $93,000 |
| Montana | $98,500 |
| North Carolina | $99,100 |
| North Dakota | $103,100 |
| Nebraska | $98,300 |
| New Hampshire | $105,500 |
| New Jersey | $113,100 |
| New Mexico | $96,600 |
| Nevada | $103,200 |
| New York | $110,900 |
| Ohio | $101,600 |
| Oklahoma | $96,500 |
| Oregon | $105,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $103,900 |
| Rhode Island | $108,200 |
| South Carolina | $97,800 |
| South Dakota | $94,800 |
| Tennessee | $97,500 |
| Texas | $101,800 |
| Utah | $99,900 |
| Virginia | $105,100 |
| Vermont | $102,400 |
| Washington | $113,100 |
| Wisconsin | $102,600 |
| West Virginia | $93,900 |
| Wyoming | $100,000 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Senior Environmental Engineer?
The salaries of senior environmental engineers can also vary by city due to several factors, including differences in the cost of living, demand for the role, and prevailing industry rates in metropolitan areas.
According to the data below, the labor market in California offers higher average annual salaries for senior environmental engineers, particularly in cities such as San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.
Likewise, cities like New York, Queens Village, and Paramus are also reported among the highest-paying locations for professionals in this role.
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $131,600 |
| San Francisco, CA | $130,300 |
| Oakland, CA | $127,400 |
| New York, NY | $120,900 |
| Queens Village, NY | $120,100 |
| Paramus, NJ | $119,300 |
How Does Experience Affect a Senior Environmental Engineer's Salary?
Experience significantly impacts the earnings of senior environmental engineers. Each year in the field helps them build stronger technical, management, and problem-solving skills, which often lead to higher pay.
According to Salary.com, newcomers to the field earn an average annual salary of $101,673 per year. With just two years of experience, their compensation edges up to $102,270 annually, reflecting the growing value of practical expertise.
Furthermore, senior environmental engineers with 2-4 years of experience see a further bump in their pay to $103,106 annually. At the senior level, seasoned professionals can earn around $107,193 per year, and top experts in the field with over 8 years of experience can make up to $109,404 per year.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Senior Environmental Engineer | $101,673 |
| Intermediate Level Senior Environmental Engineer | $102,270 |
| Senior Level Senior Environmental Engineer | $103,106 |
| Specialist Level Senior Environmental Engineer | $107,193 |
| Expert Level Senior Environmental Engineer | $109,404 |
How to Increase Salary as a Senior Environmental Engineer?
To become a senior environmental engineer, most employers require a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or a related engineering field. While some may enter with a bachelor's in civil, chemical, or general engineering, having an ABET-accredited degree and pursuing professional licensing (such as passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam followed by the Professional Engineering exam) can greatly strengthen opportunities and increase earning potential.
Below are common qualifications and career advancements that can help senior environmental engineers increase their salary:
Senior Environmental Engineer Advancements
- Level of education: Earning an advanced degree, such as a master's in environmental engineering or an MBA, can strengthen qualifications and open doors to higher-level managerial or technical specialist roles.
- Work experience: Gaining 5-10 years of experience leading projects and teams in environmental engineering significantly increases value to employers. Managing other engineers or overseeing complex environmental projects often leads to better-paid positions.
- Skill development: Developing skills in strategic environmental planning, regulatory compliance, sustainability practices, and proficiency with industry-specific software (e.g., AutoCAD, GIS) can improve performance and salary prospects. Obtaining certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or PMP (Project Management Professional) is also beneficial.
- Change of employer: Moving to organizations offering higher compensation or more advanced responsibilities can result in immediate salary increases. Geographic location also impacts pay, with certain U.S. states paying more.
Senior Environmental Engineer Skills
Gaining higher or in-demand skills is a proven way for senior environmental engineers to boost their earning potential and advance their careers.
The Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report indicates that the top in-demand skills for this role are waste management (10.90%) and ISO 14001 (10.80%).
In addition, strengthening capabilities in equipment maintenance and laboratory testing can yield significant pay increases by approximately 8.43% and 8.35%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Waste Management | 10.90% | 8.34% |
| ISO 14001 | 10.80% | 7.71% |
| Laboratory Testing | 10.70% | 8.35% |
| Equipment Maintenance | 10.60% | 8.43% |
| Environmental Testing | 10.60% | 7.71% |
| Environmental Safety | 10.50% | 8.21% |
| Emergency Response | 10.50% | 8.06% |
| Environmental Protection | 10.40% | 7.64% |
What are the FAQs About Senior Environmental Engineer Salaries?
Here are frequently asked questions about the senior environmental engineer's salary:
What does a senior environmental engineer do?
A senior environmental engineer leads and manages environmental projects to ensure compliance with regulations and standards while overseeing project budgets and timelines. They conduct environmental assessments, analyze data, develop pollution prevention strategies, and provide technical expertise and guidance to junior engineers. Their role often involves collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, engaging with clients and stakeholders, and advocating for environmentally responsible engineering practices.
What is the average salary for a senior environmental engineer in the United States?
As of November 2025, the average salary for a senior environmental engineer in the United States is $104,300 per year, or approximately $50 per hour, according to Salary.com.
What is the highest salary of an environmental engineer?
Based on Salary.com's 2025 data, the highest salary of an environmental engineer with more than 8 years of experience is $107,395.
