SOC 17-2081.00 · Clean Fuels
Environmental Engineer (Clean Fuels): $100,090 Median Pay
Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
Median Annual Wage
$100,090
BLS OES national median for SOC 17-2081.00.
O*NET Job Zone
4 / 5
Bachelor's degree
1. What They Actually Do
Complete task inventory from O*NET (29 tasks).
- Design, or supervise the design of, systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality. (Core)
- Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of land use projects on air, water, or land. (Core)
- Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, experts in law or business, or other specialists to address environmental problems. (Core)
- Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment. (Core)
- Develop proposed project objectives and targets and report to management on progress in attaining them. (Core)
- Monitor progress of environmental improvement programs. (Core)
- Prepare, review, or update environmental investigation or recommendation reports. (Core)
- Prepare, maintain, or revise quality assurance documentation or procedures. (Core)
- Develop site-specific health and safety protocols, such as spill contingency plans or methods for loading or transporting waste. (Core)
- Provide technical support for environmental remediation or litigation projects, including remediation system design or determination of regulatory applicability. (Core)
- Prepare or present public briefings on the status of environmental engineering projects. (Core)
- Assist in budget implementation, forecasts, or administration. (Core)
- Coordinate or manage environmental protection programs or projects, assigning or evaluating work. (Core)
- Advise industries or government agencies about environmental policies and standards. (Core)
- Obtain, update, or maintain plans, permits, or standard operating procedures. (Core)
- Direct installation or operation of environmental monitoring devices or supervise related data collection programs. (Core)
- Inspect industrial or municipal facilities or programs to evaluate operational effectiveness or ensure compliance with environmental regulations. (Core)
- Request bids from suppliers or consultants. (Core)
- Inform company employees or other interested parties of environmental issues. (Core)
- Serve as liaison with federal, state, or local agencies or officials on issues pertaining to solid or hazardous waste program requirements. (Core)
- Provide administrative support for projects by collecting data, providing project documentation, training staff, or performing other general administrative duties. (Core)
- Provide environmental engineering assistance in network analysis, regulatory analysis, or planning or reviewing database development. (Core)
- Develop or present environmental compliance training or orientation sessions. (Core)
- Provide assistance with planning, quality assurance, safety inspection protocols, or sampling as part of a team conducting multimedia inspections at complex facilities. (Core)
- Develop, implement, or manage plans or programs related to conservation or management of natural resources. (Core)
- Prepare hazardous waste manifests or land disposal restriction notifications. (Core)
- Attend professional conferences to share information. (Core)
- Write reports or articles for Web sites or newsletters related to environmental engineering issues. (Core)
- Assess, sort, characterize, or pack known or unknown materials. (Supplemental)
2. Required Competencies
2.1 Skills
Monitoring4.00
Critical Thinking4.00
Speaking4.00
Writing4.00
Active Listening4.00
Reading Comprehension4.00
Judgment and Decision Making3.88
Complex Problem Solving3.88
Coordination3.75
Active Learning3.75
2.2 Knowledge
Engineering and Technology4.95
Design4.62
Chemistry4.05
Mathematics4.00
Building and Construction3.86
English Language3.81
Physics3.76
Biology3.62
Customer and Personal Service3.62
Computers and Electronics3.60
2.3 Abilities
Inductive Reasoning4.00
Deductive Reasoning4.00
Problem Sensitivity4.00
Written Expression4.00
Oral Expression4.00
Written Comprehension4.00
Oral Comprehension4.00
Fluency of Ideas3.75
Speech Clarity3.62
Speech Recognition3.62
2.4 Work Styles
Integrity4.62
Attention to Detail4.55
Analytical Thinking4.33
Dependability4.29
Cooperation3.95
Initiative3.86
Persistence3.81
Independence3.71
Achievement/Effort3.71
Self-Control3.67
3. Day-to-Day Work
3.1 Generalized Work Activities
Working with Computers4.38
Getting Information4.38
Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.33
Analyzing Data or Information4.24
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings4.15
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards4.14
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.10
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work4.05
Developing Objectives and Strategies3.95
Processing Information3.95
3.2 Work Context (5-point scale)
Electronic Mail4.95
Telephone4.89
Face-to-Face Discussions4.42
Work With Work Group or Team4.40
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled4.30
Structured versus Unstructured Work4.05
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate4.05
Responsible for Others' Health and Safety4.05
Contact With Others4.05
Deal With External Customers4.00
4. Education, Training & Experience
Related Work Experience (Years)
Related Work Experience42.9%
Related Work Experience14.3%
Related Work Experience14.3%
Related Work Experience14.3%
Related Work Experience4.8%
Related Work Experience4.8%
PT
On-Site or In-Plant Training38.1%
On-Site or In-Plant Training14.3%
On-Site or In-Plant Training14.3%
On-Site or In-Plant Training9.5%
On-Site or In-Plant Training9.5%
On-Site or In-Plant Training9.5%
OJ
On-the-Job Training19.1%
On-the-Job Training19.1%
On-the-Job Training19.1%
On-the-Job Training14.3%
On-the-Job Training9.5%
On-the-Job Training9.5%
Required Level of Education
Required Level of Education61.9%
Required Level of Education28.6%
Required Level of Education4.8%
Required Level of Education4.8%
Required Level of Education0.0%
Required Level of Education0.0%
IM
Job-Related Professional Certification3.8%
Apprenticeship1.9%
5. Interests (Holland Codes)
Investigative6.11
Realistic5.15
Conventional4.29
Enterprising3.10
Social2.21
Artistic2.04
6. Work Values
Recognition5.67
Working Conditions5.67
Achievement5.67
Independence5.00
Support4.33
Relationships4.33
7. Technology & Tools
Software and tools used by people in this role, per O*NET. “Hot” technologies are flagged by O*NET as in-demand.
Autodesk AutoCAD 🔥
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D 🔥
Bentley MicroStation 🔥
C++ 🔥
ESRI ArcGIS software 🔥
Microsoft Access 🔥
Microsoft Excel 🔥
Microsoft Office software 🔥
Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
Microsoft Project 🔥
Microsoft Word 🔥
Python 🔥
SAS 🔥
The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥
Air dispersion modeling software
ANSYS simulation software
Business software applications
Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
Computer aided design CAD software
Continuous emission management software
DHI Water and Environment MIKE SHE
Ecological risk assessment software
Eko
Environmental health and safety documentation software
ESRI ArcView
Finite element method FEM software
Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
Fugitive emission leak detection software
Gas dispersion model software
Geographic information system GIS systems
8. Also Known As
20 alternate job titles used by employers for this occupation.
Air Pollution Control Engineer
Civil Engineer
Engineer
Engineering Consultant
Environmental Analyst
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Coordinator
Environmental Designer
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Planner
Environmental Project Manager
Environmental Remediation Engineer
Environmental Remediation Specialist
Environmental Safety Specialist
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Systems Coordinator
Environmentalist
Flood Control Engineer
Hazardous Substances Engineer
Hazardous Waste Management Control Engineer
9. Related Occupations
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Water Resource Specialists
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Data source: O*NET Database 29.1 (tasks, skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, work context, education, technology, alternate titles, related occupations); BLS OES (median wage).
Last updated: April 2026.