Career comparison
Civil Engineering Technician vs. Environmental Engineering Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Civil engineering technicians earn more at the median ($64,950 vs. $59,920), while civil engineering technicians usually get to work faster (2 years of training). Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers plan, design and test roads, bridges and infrastructure. Environmental engineering technicians help engineers monitor, test and clean up pollution in soil, water and air.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Civil Engineering Technician | Environmental Engineering Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,950 ($31.23/hr) | $59,920 ($28.81/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,220 – $98,980 | $39,910 – $96,660 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.2% (about as fast as average) | +3.1% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 6,100 | 1,100 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 2 years | 2 years |
| Key credential | NICET certification | OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER |
| Work setting | Technicians split time between offices and construction sites, in all weather.. | Technicians work outdoors at industrial, construction and contaminated sites in all weather, and in offices and labs. |
What each job does
Civil Engineering Technician
- Draft plans and drawings
- Estimate quantities and costs
- Test soil, concrete and asphalt
- Inspect construction sites
- Collect and analyze field data
Environmental Engineering Technician
- Collect soil, water and air samples
- Install and maintain monitoring equipment
- Operate and maintain remediation systems
- Inspect stormwater and pollution controls
- Record field data and chain of custody
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, hands-on work, and working with information. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and safety & environmental, but share transferable skills such as attention to detail and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
Choose civil engineering technician if…
- I like construction and design
- I enjoy math
- I want field and office work
Choose environmental engineering technician if…
- I want to help protect the environment
- I like working outdoors
- I’m careful with procedures and records
Still torn? Take the Civil Engineering Technician fit quiz and the Environmental Engineering Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, civil engineering technician or environmental engineering technician?
Civil Engineering Technicians earn more at the median: $64,950 versus $59,920 for environmental engineering technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Civil Engineering Technicians typically train faster (2 years) than environmental engineering technicians (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects civil engineering technicians to grow +3.2% from 2025–35, compared with +3.1% for environmental engineering technicians.