💡 Why it matters: Pollution, plastic waste and flooding are problems all over the world. Environmental engineers design the fixes, and companies and governments increasingly have to follow green rules.
🌍 Around the world
- Nigeria: Oil spills, plastic waste and flooding are real problems in Nigeria.
- United States: Jobs are projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than average (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
💰 What it can pay
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Starting out
- ₦1.4M – ₦3.3M
- Mid-career
- ₦4M – ₦9M
- Senior
- ₦10M – ₦24M
≈ ₦333k – ₦750k a month mid-career. Indicative estimate by Incusim.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Closest UK profile: Environmental consultant. Starter and experienced salary.. National Careers Service, 2026
🇺🇸 United States
Median pay; 10th/90th percentile wages.. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025
🇨🇦 Canada
Environmental Engineer. Hourly wages x 2,080 hours.. Job Bank Canada, 2025
Yearly pay before tax. UK, US and Canada figures come from the official sources named on each card. Nigeria has no official salary survey, so those are our indicative estimates. Real pay depends on the employer, the place, your skills and experience.
🛠️ What you actually do
- Design waste and water treatment systems
- Test air, soil and water for pollution
- Plan clean-ups after oil spills
- Write environmental impact reports for new projects
- Advise companies on cutting waste
⚡ Skills you'll need
- Problem solving
- Chemistry knowledge
- Data analysis
- Communication
- Attention to detail
Get ready at school
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Environmental impact assessment short courses
- SIWES (a student work placement) with a waste, oil or consulting company
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Engineering degree apprenticeship (Level 6) while working
- BTEC or T-level in engineering, then a degree or apprenticeship
🇺🇸 United States
- Associate degree in engineering technology at a community college, then transfer to a bachelor's
- Co-op or internship programs during your degree
🇨🇦 Canada
- College diploma in engineering technology, then bridge to a degree
- Co-op programs that mix study with paid work terms
🗺️ Your path to this career
- 1Do well in Chemistry, Maths and Geography
- 2Study Environmental, Civil or Chemical Engineering
- 3Do a work placement with a waste, energy or consulting company
- 4Learn sampling, testing and reporting skills
- 5Join a consultancy, energy company or agency
⏰ A day in the life
You collect soil and water samples near a site where oil leaked and send them to the lab. After reading the results, you design a clean-up plan and explain it to the community and the company.