Median pay: $81,200
Top pay: $113,000
10-year job growth: 31%
Total jobs: 50,000
The job:
Finding ways to make the planet a better place to live in is all in a day's work for environmental engineers. These problem solvers address challenges like waste disposal and air and water pollution. They also work to repair areas damaged by development or natural disasters. If you relish the challenge of coming up with environmentally sound solutions to real-world problems, this is a job for you. As world population growth spurs more concerns about the impact of human activity on the environment, this profession will be in high demand.
How to switch:
Being eco-conscious isn't enough. You need an undergraduate engineering degree, and in many cases, a master's. Find out more from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers at aaee.net.
Quality of life ratings:
| Personal satisfaction |
Benefit to society |
Low stress |
Flexibility |
| B |
B |
C |
A |
By Donna Rosato and Grace Wong
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