Rankings β Will AI Replaceβ¦
Will AI Replace Environmental Engineers?
π‘ Environmental Engineers have a composite risk score of 33/100 (Frey-Osborne probability: 2%, GenAI exposure: 78/100). With 37,950 workers in the US, this occupation faces moderate but manageable AI pressure. Full occupation profile β
π― The Verdict
Partially. Some tasks will be automated, but the core role will likely adapt and evolve.
With 37,950 workers and a median wage of $104K,environmental engineers represent a significant portion of the US workforce. Their GenAI exposure index is 78%, meaning a majority of their core tasks overlap with current generative AI capabilities.
Risk Score
33/100
Employment
37,950
Median Wage
$104K
GenAI Exposure
78%
β οΈ Top Risk Factors
AI-powered research and literature review tools
AI-generated written content replacing manual drafting
AI-optimized manufacturing process design
π‘οΈ Tasks AI Can't Easily Replace
Safety-critical judgment in design review
Client communication and technical consultation
Novel engineering design for unprecedented challenges
Cross-disciplinary collaboration on complex projects
π Career Transition Paths
Related occupations with lower AI risk and high skills overlap:
Engineers
71% skills overlap Β· $106K median wage
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
83% skills overlap Β· $128K median wage
Chemical Engineers
81% skills overlap Β· $122K median wage
β Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI completely replace environmental engineers?
Partially. Some tasks will be automated, but the core role will likely adapt and evolve.
What is the AI risk score for environmental engineers?
Environmental Engineers have a composite AI automation risk score of 33 out of 100, classified as "Moderate".
How many environmental engineers are there in the US?
There are approximately 37,950 environmental engineers employed in the United States.
What do environmental engineers earn?
The median annual wage for environmental engineers is $104K.
What skills should environmental engineers develop?
Focus on tasks AI can't easily replicate: safety-critical judgment in design review, client communication and technical consultation, novel engineering design for unprecedented challenges, cross-disciplinary collaboration on complex projects. These human-centric skills will become more valuable as routine tasks are automated.