Environmental engineering technologists and technicians set up, test, operate and modify equipment used to prevent or clean up pollution, collect and analyze samples such as ground water, keep project records and computer files, review documents against reporting requirements, schedule work from project plans, and arrange the disposal of asbestos, lead and other hazardous materials.
The short answer: low exposure, with average growth. The ILO's 2025 index rates the closest groups, civil engineering technicians and physical and engineering science technicians not elsewhere classified, as not exposed, with scores of 0.28 and 0.26. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average, with about 1,100 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed environmental engineering technicians are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technicians | Not exposed | 0.28 |
| Physical and Engineering Science Technicians Not Elsewhere Classified | Not exposed | 0.26 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so these are the closest groups for environmental engineering technicians, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental engineering technologists and technicians | Grow 3% | About 1,100 |
The BLS says employment is typically tied to projects created by environmental engineers, and some demand is expected as concerns about pollution lead to water and air quality improvement efforts. However, it says growth may be limited as automated environmental testing increases productivity for these workers.
What automation is taking on
- Environmental testing, which the BLS says is becoming more automated.
- Keeping project records and data files.
- Checking documents against reporting requirements, with a person to confirm.
What stays with environmental engineering technicians
- Field samples: collecting samples such as ground water on site.
- Equipment: setting up and adjusting pollution control and cleanup equipment.
- Hazardous materials: arranging safe disposal of asbestos, lead and similar materials.
- Checking AI help: generated reports and compliance checks can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Water and air quality work keeps demand going, according to the BLS, while automated testing lets each technician do more. Fieldwork and equipment stay hands-on. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace environmental engineers?, will AI replace environmental science technicians? and will AI replace civil engineering technicians?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for environmental engineering technicians at $59,920 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: associate's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace environmental engineering technicians?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 3 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,100 openings a year, though automated testing may limit growth.
How exposed are environmental engineering technicians to AI?
The closest ILO groups, civil engineering technicians and physical and engineering science technicians not elsewhere classified, are not exposed, with scores of 0.28 and 0.26.
What drives demand?
The BLS points to projects by environmental engineers and to water and air quality improvement efforts.
What do environmental engineering technicians do?
They run pollution control and cleanup equipment, collect and analyze samples, keep records and arrange hazardous material disposal.