Environmental Engineers in South Carolina
Considering working as an Environmental Engineers in South Carolina? Here’s what you need to know. 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.
What do Environmental Engineers Make in South Carolina?
For a environmental engineers working in South Carolina, wages run about $99,040 per year (or about $47.62/hour).Annual wages span from $41,610 at the 10th percentile to $156,000 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41,610 | $20.01 |
| 25th percentile | $70,450 | $33.87 |
| Median (50th) | $99,040 | $47.62 |
| 75th percentile | $128,030 | $61.55 |
| 90th percentile | $156,000 | $75.00 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in South Carolina relative to the national average — is 0.87, suggesting fewer environmental engineers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, environmental engineers earn a median of $79,896 per year ($38.41/hour), exceeding the South Carolina median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 76,117 environmental engineers nationwide. In South Carolina alone, about 490 people work in this role. That’s in line with the typical state median of 490.
Top South Carolina Metros for Environmental Engineers
The largest metro-area employers of environmental engineers in South Carolina.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 110 | $93,430 |
| Columbia, SC | 90 | $80,380 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 60 | $95,880 |
Top States for Environmental Engineers Employment
View the states that employ the most environmental engineers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 4,770 |
| New York | 2,560 |
| Texas | 1,710 |
| Colorado | 1,660 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,420 |
| Illinois | 1,410 |
| Massachusetts | 1,410 |
| Florida | 1,410 |
| Washington | 1,330 |
| Virginia | 1,240 |
| Maryland | 1,140 |
| New Jersey | 1,010 |
| Minnesota | 980 |
| Ohio | 970 |
| Michigan | 880 |
| Tennessee | 840 |
| Wisconsin | 760 |
| Georgia | 750 |
| Oregon | 740 |
| North Carolina | 690 |
Highest-Paying States for Environmental Engineers
These states pay the most for environmental engineers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $130,370 |
| California | $127,660 |
| District of Columbia | $125,980 |
| Louisiana | $123,210 |
| Massachusetts | $116,980 |
| Washington | $115,770 |
| Alaska | $113,800 |
| Nevada | $112,330 |
| Texas | $108,560 |
| Connecticut | $108,100 |
Skills
The most important environmental engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for environmental engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Environmental Engineers typically:
- Design, or supervise the design of, systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.
- Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of land use projects on air, water, or land.
- Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, experts in law or business, or other specialists to address environmental problems.
- Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment.
- Develop proposed project objectives and targets and report to management on progress in attaining them.
- Monitor progress of environmental improvement programs.
- Prepare, review, or update environmental investigation or recommendation reports.
- Prepare, maintain, or revise quality assurance documentation or procedures.
- Develop site-specific health and safety protocols, such as spill contingency plans or methods for loading or transporting waste.
- Provide technical support for environmental remediation or litigation projects, including remediation system design or determination of regulatory applicability.
- Prepare or present public briefings on the status of environmental engineering projects.
- Assist in budget implementation, forecasts, or administration.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Processing Information
- Developing Objectives and Strategies
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D In-demand technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Environmental Engineering
- Civil Engineering
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to environmental engineers include:
- Water Resource Specialists
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Agricultural Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Civil Engineers
Also Known As
Air Pollution Control Engineer, Air Quality Engineer, Civil Engineer, Coastal Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Consultant, Environmental Analyst, Environmental Compliance Engineer, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Coordinator, Environmental Designer, Environmental Engineer, Environmental Engineering Intern, Environmental Planner, Environmental Project Engineer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 17-2081.00