Civil Engineer vs Environmental Engineer
Measured from each occupation's own live postings: related jobs with a real gap between them. Posted pay is close to a wash.
The short answer
On pay, this one is close to even. Postings that state a salary put civil engineers at $66k–$113k and environmental engineers at $66k–$118k, so the midpoints sit within $2k of each other. The difference between the two jobs is in the work and the skills, not the paycheck.
On skills, they are related jobs with a real gap between them. There is a shared core, and then each side asks for things the other rarely does. The readiness numbers further down say how far a typical profile on each side already reaches into the other, and which direction is the easier move.
Civil Engineer
civil engineer jobs · civil engineer salary · civil engineer career guide · careers for civil engineers
Environmental Engineer
environmental engineer jobs · environmental engineer salary · environmental engineer career guide · careers for environmental engineers
The overlap, measured
Switching, both directions
Civil Engineer → Environmental Engineer
What environmental engineer postings ask for that civil engineer profiles usually lack: Safety / OSHA, Compliance, Lean / Six Sigma, Risk Management.
Environmental Engineer → Civil Engineer
PE license required for responsible charge
Transition estimate: 12–24 mo + license.
What civil engineer postings ask for that environmental engineer profiles usually lack: AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Construction Administration, Assessment.
Open civil engineer roles
- Structural Civil Engineer at Planet Group IncJacksonville, FLTodayApply
- Civil Engineer at Direct employerMerritt Island, FL, USATodayUnlock
- Associate Civil Engineer at Direct employerSA - RiyadhTodayUnlock
- Civil Project Engineer LBYD at Northwind GroupBirmingham, AL1d agoApply
Open environmental engineer roles
2027 University Hire (U.S.) - Environmental Engineer at BechtelGunnison, CO2d agoApply
Environmental Engineer - Water Services Group at EWI RecruitmentRaleigh, NC2d agoApply
Environmental Engineer (Tribal Utility Consultant) at Indian Health ServiceMultiple Locations$75k–$119k2d agoApply- Analista de Gestão Ambiental at Direct employerAraras, BR2d agoUnlock
See the whole board for both
954 open roles across the two.
Related comparisons
- Environmental Engineer vs Health and Safety Officer78% peak overlap
- Architect vs Civil Engineer60% peak overlap
- Building Envelope Consultant vs Civil Engineer55% peak overlap
- Civil Engineer vs Project Engineer55% peak overlap
- Civil Engineer vs Construction Superintendent52% peak overlap
- Civil Engineer vs Landscape Architect47% peak overlap
Which one do your skills favor?
Run the instrument with your own skills and both numbers recompute for you. Free.
Quick answers
Which pays more, civil engineer or environmental engineer?
On pay, this one is close to even. Postings that state a salary put civil engineers at $66k–$113k and environmental engineers at $66k–$118k, so the midpoints sit within $2k of each other. The difference between the two jobs is in the work and the skills, not the paycheck. By seniority and country: civil engineer salary and environmental engineer salary.
Are civil engineer and environmental engineer the same job?
On skills, they are related jobs with a real gap between them. There is a shared core, and then each side asks for things the other rarely does. The skills both sets of postings want most are Project Management, Training & Facilitation, Sustainability, Scheduling, Quality Control.
Can a civil engineer become an environmental engineer?
Yes, and the numbers say how far along you already are: a typical civil engineer profile covers 29% of what environmental engineer postings ask for. The instrument lists the exact skills that make up the rest.
Can an environmental engineer become a civil engineer?
Going the other way, a typical environmental engineer profile covers 40% of what civil engineer postings ask for. Keep in mind: pe license required for responsible charge. Our estimate for the move is 12–24 mo + license.
How many civil engineer and environmental engineer jobs are open right now?
Right now our board has 777 civil engineer openings and 177 environmental engineer openings, each linking to the original posting. The board refreshes every night, so the counts move with the market. Hiring the most civil engineers at the moment: Direct employer (285), ZÜRCHER Consulting (19), AECOM (13). For environmental engineers: Direct employer (100), Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (7), Environmental Protection Agency (6).
Pay is the posted middle half; readiness is how much of the other role’s skill demand a typical profile covers. Refreshed nightly.