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Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians vs. Civil Engineers: Who Earns More?

Civil Engineers out-earn Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians by $41K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians land at $59,920 and Civil Engineers at $100,840. The education gap is real: environmental engineering technologists and technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while civil engineer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians is Washington ($100,050); for Civil Engineers it's California ($122,500).

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Civil Engineers
Median salary
$59,920
$100,840
Hourly rate
$28.81/hr
$48.48/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$39,910
$68,240
Senior level (90th %)
$96,660
$163,220
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
12,190
367,840
Job growth (10-year)
1.2%
5%
Category
Engineering
Engineering
Top-paying state
Washington
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians median pay.

State
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Civil Engineers
Washington
$100,050
$110,000
Oregon
$80,770
$105,250
Alaska
$77,860
$114,730
Nevada
$75,330
$104,310
Massachusetts
$66,860
$106,730
South Carolina
$63,200
$101,600
New York
$62,540
$103,760
Kentucky
$61,470
$100,930
New Mexico
$61,170
$103,900
Louisiana
$60,840
$105,380
New Jersey
$60,740
$104,660
Colorado
$60,740
$101,420
Minnesota
$60,110
$101,480
California
$60,010
$122,500
Nebraska
$54,690
$103,150

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians or Civil Engineers?

Civil Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $59,920 for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians versus $100,840 for Civil Engineers, a difference of $41K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians or Civil Engineers?

Civil Engineers has the better 10-year outlook at 5% projected growth, compared to 1.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians or Civil Engineers?

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Civil Engineers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians at $100,050/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians vs. Civil Engineers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn $100,050 vs. $110,000 for Civil Engineers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Civil Engineers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Civil Engineers by take-home payExplore →How to become a environmental engineering technologists and techniciansGuide →How to become a civil engineersGuide →