Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Machines can already do 40% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 71%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 40% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 10% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2030, and 71% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 12,190 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $59,920 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 72% for contact with people.
- Also called: Air Quality Instrument Specialist, EHS Engineer (Environmental, Health and Safety Engineer), Engineer, Environmental Engineering Assistant.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collect and analyze pollution samples, such as air or ground water | 12% | 20% to 60% | |
| Produce environmental assessment reports, tabulating data and preparing charts, graphs, or sketches | 10% | 70% to 95% | |
| Record laboratory or field data, including numerical data, test results, photographs, or summaries of visual observations | 8% | 85% to 97% | |
| Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Inspect facilities to monitor compliance with regulations governing substances, such as asbestos, lead, or wastewater | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Maintain project logbook records or computer program files | 6% | 70% to 95% | |
| Prepare permit applications or review compliance with environmental permits | 6% | 55% to 88% | |
| Prepare and package environmental samples for shipping or testing | 4% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills environmental engineering technologists and technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Hydrologic Technicians69% of tasks by 2035 · US median $64,790
- Hydrologists68% of tasks by 2035 · US median $96,600
- Petroleum Engineers66% of tasks by 2035 · US median $144,910
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians70% of tasks by 2035 · US median $53,350
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2030. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of environmental engineering technologists and technicians?
Machines can do 40% of the tasks of environmental engineering technologists and technicians today and 71% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 17-3025.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/environmental-engineering-technologists-and-technicians/