Environmental Engineering Technicians
Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientist. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.
AI Impact Summary
Environmental Engineering Technicians faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 37/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 71% of all analyzed occupations. Of 26 analyzed tasks, 5 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Environmental Engineering Technicians skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
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Double down on skills AI can't replicate
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
26 tasks analyzed
Assist in the cleanup of hazardous material spills.
Maintain project logbook records or computer program files.
Record laboratory or field data, including numerical data, test results, photographs, or summaries of visual observations.
Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings.
Produce environmental assessment reports, tabulating data and preparing charts, graphs, or sketches.
Collect and analyze pollution samples, such as air or ground water.
Decontaminate or test field equipment used to clean or test pollutants from soil, air, or water.
Prepare and package environmental samples for shipping or testing.
Maintain process parameters and evaluate process anomalies.
Inspect facilities to monitor compliance with regulations governing substances such as asbestos, lead, or wastewater.
Develop work plans, including writing specifications or establishing material, manpower, or facilities needs.
Review technical documents to ensure completeness and conformance to requirements.
Receive, set up, test, or decontaminate equipment.
Perform statistical analysis and correction of air or water pollution data submitted by industry or other agencies.
Evaluate and select technologies to clean up polluted sites, restore polluted air, water, or soil, or rehabilitate degraded ecosystems.
Arrange for the disposal of lead, asbestos, or other hazardous materials.
Assess the ability of environments to naturally remove or reduce conventional or emerging contaminants from air, water, or soil.
Work with customers to assess the environmental impact of proposed construction or to develop pollution prevention programs.
Provide technical engineering support in the planning of projects, such as wastewater treatment plants, to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and policies.
Prepare permit applications or review compliance with environmental permits.
Review work plans to schedule activities.
Model biological, chemical, or physical treatment processes to remove or degrade pollutants.
Oversee support staff.
Create models to demonstrate or predict the process by which pollutants move through or impact an environment.
Improve chemical processes to reduce toxic emissions.
Obtain product information, identify vendors or suppliers, or order materials or equipment to maintain inventory.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assist in the cleanup of hazardous material spills. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 3% | |
| Maintain project logbook records or computer program files. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 6% | |
| Record laboratory or field data, including numerical data, test results, photographs, or summaries of visual observations. | 48.58Observed | 68.6% | 6% | |
| Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 5% | |
| Produce environmental assessment reports, tabulating data and preparing charts, graphs, or sketches. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 5% | |
| Collect and analyze pollution samples, such as air or ground water. | 35Estimated | 41.0% | 6% | |
| Decontaminate or test field equipment used to clean or test pollutants from soil, air, or water. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Prepare and package environmental samples for shipping or testing. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Maintain process parameters and evaluate process anomalies. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Inspect facilities to monitor compliance with regulations governing substances such as asbestos, lead, or wastewater. | 30.87Observed | 61.6% | 4% | |
| Develop work plans, including writing specifications or establishing material, manpower, or facilities needs. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Review technical documents to ensure completeness and conformance to requirements. | 52.02Observed | 70.0% | 4% | |
| Receive, set up, test, or decontaminate equipment. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Perform statistical analysis and correction of air or water pollution data submitted by industry or other agencies. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 4% | |
| Evaluate and select technologies to clean up polluted sites, restore polluted air, water, or soil, or rehabilitate degraded ecosystems. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 3% | |
| Arrange for the disposal of lead, asbestos, or other hazardous materials. | 72Estimated | 78.0% | 3% | |
| Assess the ability of environments to naturally remove or reduce conventional or emerging contaminants from air, water, or soil. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Work with customers to assess the environmental impact of proposed construction or to develop pollution prevention programs. | 25Estimated | 25.0% | 3% | |
| Provide technical engineering support in the planning of projects, such as wastewater treatment plants, to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and policies. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Prepare permit applications or review compliance with environmental permits. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 4% | |
| Review work plans to schedule activities. | 36.25Observed | 63.7% | 3% | |
| Model biological, chemical, or physical treatment processes to remove or degrade pollutants. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 3% | |
| Oversee support staff. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Create models to demonstrate or predict the process by which pollutants move through or impact an environment. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 3% | |
| Improve chemical processes to reduce toxic emissions. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Obtain product information, identify vendors or suppliers, or order materials or equipment to maintain inventory. | 47.65Observed | 68.3% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 29.8%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$58,890
per year
Mean Wage
$63,070
per year
Employment
13K
workers
Wage Range
$39,670 - $92,280
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Environmental Engineering Technicians professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change