Environmental Tech graduates earn $89,619 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 12.4%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Industrial Engineer is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Environmental Tech as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering Tech and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Environmental Tech is a focused area of study within Engineering Tech. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $89,619 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 227 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 7,918 students complete it each year, most walking away with a master's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$68,919
Median Earnings · 4yr
$89,619
Colleges Offering
227
Graduates / Year
7,918
Avg Net Price / yr
$23,879
How Much Do Environmental Tech Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Environmental Tech, a typical graduate earns $89,619, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $71,039 and $110,158, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$89,619
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$90,274
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Environmental Tech graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$71,03925th pct.
$89,619Median
$110,15875th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $89,619 against an estimated $95,516 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 89 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 7,918 students who complete Environmental Tech programs each year, the majority (68%) earn a master's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
22%68%
Master's68%
Bachelor's22%
Post-Bacc Cert.8%
What Can You Do With an Environmental Tech Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Environmental Tech graduates show up in 7 different occupations, and Architectural & Engineering Manager pays the most at $171,270/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Active ListeningSpeakingSpeakingCritical ThinkingQuality Control Analysis
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.
Set and monitor product standards, examining samples of raw products or directing testing during processing, to ensure finished products are of prescribed quality.
Direct or coordinate production, processing, distribution, or marketing activities of industrial organizations.
Review processing schedules or production orders to make decisions concerning inventory requirements, staffing requirements, work procedures, or duty assignments, considering budgetary limitations and time constraints.
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.
Monitor the facility to ensure that it remains safe, secure, and well-maintained.
Oversee the maintenance and repair of machinery, equipment, and electrical and mechanical systems.
Oversee construction and renovation projects to improve efficiency and to ensure that facilities meet environmental, health, and security standards, and comply with government regulations.
Reading ComprehensionWritingSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.
Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization.
Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product.
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.
Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
Study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency.
Top Colleges for Environmental Tech
Not sure where to study Environmental Tech? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Environmental Tech graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Environmental Tech is not the only path through Engineering Tech: 18 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Environmental Tech program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Environmental Tech a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $89,619 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $68,919 at graduation to $89,619 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +12.4% over the next decade, with Industrial Engineer among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 82,500 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
$89,619 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $71,039 and $110,158, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Environmental Tech degree?
$68,919 in the first year out. That grows to $89,619 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an Environmental Tech degree?
Architectural & Engineering Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $171,270 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an Environmental Tech program take?
Four years for the bachelor's, plus one to two more if you continue on to a master's, which many Environmental Tech students do. Some schools shorten that with an accelerated 5-year combined program.
How many colleges offer Environmental Tech?
227 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an Environmental Tech degree worth it?
$89,619 median earnings four years out against $23,879 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Environmental Tech and Engineering Tech?
Environmental Tech is the narrower of the two: Engineering Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Environmental Tech-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Environmental Tech graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Environmental Tech graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Environmental Tech graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Environmental Tech graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +5.5% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Industrial Engineer is among the strongest-growth roles at +12.4%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Other programs in Engineering Tech. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
Yes, most schools allow it, but the schedule math rarely works without either overlapping requirements or extra time. Here's when it actually fits in four years.
The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
Major earnings
Highest paying majors
Job growth
STEM
Field of study
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
Engineering tech
Engineering
Program earnings
Applied degree
Technician careers
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
STEM earnings
Engineering pay
Computer science
Program earnings
Major choice
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
