Salary distribution
Where San Diego environmental engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $104,550 and $139,180, with a median of $125,890.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.5 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Writing
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Provide technical support for environmental remediation or litigation projects, including remediation system design or determination of regulatory applicability.
- 02
Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, experts in law or business, or other specialists to address environmental problems.
- 03
Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of land use projects on air, water, or land.
- 04
Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment.
- 05
Inspect industrial or municipal facilities or programs to evaluate operational effectiveness or ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
- 06
Design, or supervise the design of, systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.
- 07
Direct installation or operation of environmental monitoring devices or supervise related data collection programs.
- 08
Prepare, review, or update environmental investigation or recommendation reports.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Diego metro compares to other major California metro areas for environmental engineers.
- San Francisco$142,000
- Sacramento$130,830
- San Jose$130,260
- Los Angeles$119,780
- Riverside$109,830
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Environmental Engineers in San Diego, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Environmental Engineers in the San Diego metropolitan area is $125,890.
- Does San Diego pay more than the California state average for Environmental Engineers?
- The San Diego metro median is -1.4% versus the California state median of $127,660.
- How does San Diego compare to the national median for Environmental Engineers?
- The San Diego metro median is +20.8% versus the BLS national figure of $104,174.
- What is the salary range for Environmental Engineers in San Diego?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $79,540 and the 90th-percentile at $162,480 for the San Diego metro area.
- What education is required for Environmental Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Diego CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.