There was an error. Please try again.
This page is already listed in your guide. Please choose a different page to add.
Air Quality Engineer, Civil Engineer, Environmental Process Design Engineer, Hazardous Waste Management Engineer, Professional Engineer, Remediation and Reclamation Specialist, Solid Waste Management Engineer, Waste Management Specialist, Water Quality Specialist, Water Treatment Specialist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Environmental engineers work closely with facility managers and other professionals. They assess, design, and plan site operations. They may be involved in activities such as:
Environmental engineers may:
Environmental engineers often work with:
Environmental engineers use a variety of tools to plan and manage systems. These include computers, computer simulation models, and monitoring instruments and techniques. Engineering and environmental science are rapidly developing fields. Environmental engineers must constantly upgrade their skills and knowledge.
Environmental engineers work in offices, labs, industrial plants, and in the field.
They may work long hours. They may work under pressure to meet reporting deadlines. When in the field, they may have to withstand a variety of working conditions and harsh weather.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Civil engineers
2023 OaSIS: 21300.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Environmental engineers need:
Environmental engineers should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 22, 2023 and Nov 13, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Evaluate and recommend appropriate building and construction materials | 70 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Interpret, review and approve survey and civil design work | 68 |
| Tasks: Confer with clients and other members of the engineering team and conduct research to determine project requirements | 62 |
| Tasks: Develop construction specifications and procedures | 57 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 56 |
| Tasks: Conduct field services for civil works | 56 |
| Tasks: Ensure construction plans meet guidelines and specifications of building codes and other regulations | 53 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 51 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 48 |
| Tasks: Prepare contract documents and review and evaluate tenders for construction projects | 48 |
The minimum requirement for environmental engineers is a 4-year degree in environmental engineering or a related discipline. For example, environmental engineers working with emissions may have a chemical engineering background and specialize in environmental engineering. Remediation and reclamation engineers may have a background in civil engineering or geoscience.
Environmental engineers should be able to use advanced technology, such as computer models and testing apparatus, to assess environmental contamination and performance.
They also need knowledge of current regulations to provide guidance on environmental best practices. Such practices are important in municipal and industrial operation and management.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Professional engineers design, construct, evaluate, advise, monitor, and report on the performance of materials, equipment, systems, works, processes, and structures.
Under Alberta’s Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act [pdf] and Engineering and Geoscience Professions General Regulation [pdf], you must register as a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) to practice as a Professional Engineer or engage in the practice of engineering.
You do not have to register if you work under the direct supervision of a professional engineer and do not call yourself a Professional Engineer or use the word “engineer” in your job title.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Engineer.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Environmental engineers may work for:
Some environmental engineers move into related fields such as recycling management or environmental auditing. Those with master’s (M.Sc., M.Eng.) or doctoral (PhD) degrees may work in consulting or research or teach at the university or college level.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Civil engineers
2016 NOC: 2131
78.8% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $30.77 | $67.24 | $43.25 | $40.00 |
| Overall | $36.10 | $84.97 | $54.42 | $52.08 |
| Top | $42.31 | $96.15 | $64.95 | $62.28 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $109,156 |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $108,882 |
| Public Administration | $109,972 |
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: www.apega.ca
Canadian Society for Bioengineering (CSBE) website: csbe-scgab.ca
Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) website: csce.ca
Engineers Canada website: engineerscanada.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
