Two environmental engineers work outdoors

Job profile

Environmental Technician (m/f/d)

Environmental engineers protect and preserve our environment through technical developments and innovative approaches. With their engineering and technical skills, they find solutions to environmental protection challenges.

Here you can find out what the salary of environmental technicians is, what training is required and what specific tasks are involved in their day-to-day work.  

KEY FACTS
environmental Technician

Tasks

  • Planning and management of environmental protection projects, research, measurement 

Education

  • Degree in environmental engineering or training including further training in environmental engineering

Skills

  • Technical expertise, scientific knowledge

Gehalt

  • Ø € 55,200 gross annual salary

  • For job seekers
  • For employers
  • For freelancers

Are you looking for a job as an environmental technician (m/f/d)?

Are you ready for a new challenge in the field of environmental protection technology and looking for a suitable employer? Then take a look at our job board now and enrich a company with your skills as an environmental engineer by developing new technical solutions for the environmental challenges of our time.

Are you looking for an experienced environmental engineer (m/f/d)?

Does your company take environmental protection seriously and need top employees who know their trade? We are happy to support you with our professional recruiting services to find the best candidates for your position.

Are you looking for current environmental engineer projects (m/f/d)?

As an experienced environmental engineer, have you already been involved in various projects and contributed your expertise profitably? Then it's now time for a new, exciting project that will expand your portfolio even further. Find your next challenge in our project exchange!

What is an environmental engineer?

Environmental engineers are experts who use their engineering and technical expertise to develop solutions to the environmental problems of our time. They deal with the restoration of ecosystems, the development of renewable energies, waste disposal and drinking water treatment.

As nature and the environment continue to be damaged by human influence, among other things, and resources become scarcer, the aim of environmental technology is to prevent or minimise potential damage. This is because modern technical solutions can restore the balance of ecosystems and develop alternatives to harmful practices.

Possible areas in which environmental engineers can work:

  • Restoration of destroyed ecosystems
  • Drinking water treatment
  • Construction and plastics development
  • Development of renewable energies
  • Water, soil and noise protection measures
  • Process for resource-saving production

Environmental engineer salary: a comprehensive overview

In Germany, the average salary of an environmental engineer is around €55,200 gross per year. This was found out by the gehalt.de portal. While the starting salary is around €47,000, experienced experts with over 9 years of professional experience can earn an average of €57,000. 

As with most professions, the salary depends heavily on the industry, professional experience and the size and location of the company. In large companies with over 20,000 employees, environmental engineers can earn as much as €66,000 gross per year.

Baden-Württemberg pays the best salaries for environmental engineers in Germany.

What does an environmental engineer do? Tasks and Activities

The main goal of environmental engineers is to protect the environment. Their specific tasks can therefore vary greatly depending on the area in which they work. 
Possible tasks include:
  • Management of environmental protection projects
  • Consultancy in (sustainable) product development
  • Research and science
  • Measurement and assessment of environmental pollution
  • Development and manufacture of machines and devices

How do you become an environmental engineer? Training, studies & further education

There are different ways to become an environmental engineer, which can be either academic or via an apprenticeship.

While many environmental engineers have completed a degree in preparation for their career, others have completed an apprenticeship followed by further training to become a state-certified technician specialising in environmental engineering.

Environmental engineer studies

One common way to become an environmental engineer is to study for a degree. As the topics of environmental protection and sustainability are becoming increasingly important, universities and universities of applied sciences already offer a wide range of courses in this specialisation in Germany. In addition to related fields of study, specialised degree courses in environmental engineering are no longer a rarity.

Suitable subjects for a career in environmental engineering are:

  • Biology
  • Mathematics
  • Recycling and waste technology
  • Environmental engineering
  • Engineering

Environmental technician training

If you decide against the academic route, you can become an environmental engineer through a traditional apprenticeship. 

This initially requires a completed apprenticeship in a technical or scientific field and at least one year of professional experience. This is followed by further training in the field of environmental technology, which concludes with the title of state-certified environmental technician. The further training programme lasts two years full-time and three to four years part-time.

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Skills of an environmental engineer

A successful career in this field requires above all very good technical expertise and enthusiasm for environmental protection. 

The most important hard skills of an environmental engineer include:
  • Studies or training with a specialised focus
  • Knowledge of maths
  • Dealing with industry-specific tools
  • Very good knowledge of English
The most important soft skills in environmental technology are:

  • Quick comprehension
  • Good spatial thinking
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Conscientious way of working
  • Passion for environmental protection

 Environmental engineer career: opportunities on the labour market

The future prospects for experienced female environmental engineers are definitely positive.
The demand for professions in environmental protection technology has been rising steadily in Germany for years and the sectors in which environmental engineers are sought are also diverse. Experts are in demand in the automotive industry, research, urban planning of public facilities and the manufacture of wind turbines.

As awareness of environmental protection and resource efficiency continues to rise and is also gaining importance in politics, the demand for environmental engineers is expected to increase further. Thanks to their technical expertise in the field of sustainability, environmental engineers are also in demand for other roles, such as sustainability managers. The profession is also closely related to environmental engineering.

Top vacancies for environmental technicians: Jobs throughout Germany

faq

What does an environmental engineer do?

Environmental engineers are concerned with the protection and preservation of the environment through technical solutions and engineering approaches.

Environmental engineers are concerned with the protection and preservation of the environment through technical solutions and engineering approaches.


How much does an environmental engineer earn?

The average salary of an environmental technician in Germany is around €55,200 gross per year, with starting salaries of around €47,000 and experienced environmental technicians earning up to €66,000.

The average salary of an environmental technician in Germany is around €55,200 gross per year, with starting salaries of around €47,000 and experienced environmental technicians earning up to €66,000.


How long does it take to study environmental engineering?

The duration of the programme varies, but a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering usually takes three to four years.

The duration of the programme varies, but a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering usually takes three to four years.


Does environmental technology have a future?

Yes, the future prospects for environmental engineers are positive, as the demand for specialists in the field of environmental protection technology is constantly increasing and awareness of issues such as environmental protection and resource efficiency is growing.

Yes, the future prospects for environmental engineers are positive, as the demand for specialists in the field of environmental protection technology is constantly increasing and awareness of issues such as environmental protection and resource efficiency is growing.