Career comparison
Environmental Engineering Technician vs. Environmental Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Environmental engineering technicians earn more at the median ($59,920 vs. $55,090), while environmental engineering technicians usually get to work faster (2 years of training). Environmental engineering technicians help engineers monitor, test and clean up pollution in soil, water and air. Environmental technicians collect and test air, water and soil samples to monitor pollution and protect health.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Environmental Engineering Technician | Environmental Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $59,920 ($28.81/hr) | $55,090 ($26.49/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $39,910 – $96,660 | $38,170 – $94,160 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.1% (about as fast as average) | +6.9% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,100 | 5,300 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 2 years | About 2 years |
| Key credential | OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER | OSHA HAZWOPER 40-hour |
| Work setting | Technicians work outdoors at industrial, construction and contaminated sites in all weather, and in offices and labs. | Environmental technicians work in the field (at industrial sites, construction projects, landfills, rivers and remediation sites) and in labs and offices. |
What each job does
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
Environmental Technician
- Collect air, water, soil and waste samples using approved methods
- Calibrate and operate field monitoring instruments
- Complete chain-of-custody forms and field logs
- Conduct stormwater, spill and compliance inspections
- Perform laboratory tests and prepare samples for labs
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, hands-on work, working with information, and working independently. Both are part of the safety & environmental field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose environmental engineering technician if…
- I want to help protect the environment
- I like working outdoors
- I’m careful with procedures and records
Choose environmental technician if…
- I care about clean air, water and land
- I like working outdoors and in a lab
- I’m careful and precise with records
Still torn? Take the Environmental Engineering Technician fit quiz and the Environmental Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, environmental engineering technician or environmental technician?
Environmental Engineering Technicians earn more at the median: $59,920 versus $55,090 for environmental technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Environmental Engineering Technicians typically train faster (2 years) than environmental technicians (About 2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects environmental technicians to grow +6.9% from 2025–35, compared with +3.1% for environmental engineering technicians.