SOC 17-2081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Environmental Engineers — Houston
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX · 6 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Houston, TX comes to $127,340 a year, ahead of the national median of $107,110 by 18.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Houston, TX comes to $127,340 a year, ahead of the national median of $107,110 by 18.9%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $101,660 and $156,030. The lowest tenth earn under $78,120, while the highest tenth earn more than $181,910.
Employment stands at 690, or 0.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Beaumont leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $135,240. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 55th of 699 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $78,120 | −27.1% |
| 25th | $101,660 | −5.1% |
| Median (50th) | $127,340 | +18.9% |
| 75th | $156,030 | +45.7% |
| 90th | $181,910 | +69.8% |
| Mean | $130,850 | +22.2% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beaumont | $135,240 | 80 | |
| 2 | Dallas | $126,650 | 370 | |
| 3 | Corpus Christi | $125,330 | 30 | |
| 4 | San Antonio | $123,710 | 160 | |
| 5 | Midland | $123,060 | 60 | |
| 6 | Austin | $99,000 | 210 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Houston run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $127,340 goes as far as $131,143 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 22.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$127,340as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$131,143US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $127,340 a year, 18.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $78,120 to $181,910 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 690 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Beaumont, at $135,240.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Environmental Engineers in Houston, TX?
The median annual wage is $127,340, or $61.22 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $107,110, so pay in Houston, TX is 18.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Houston, TX earns more than $181,910 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $78,120 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Beaumont, at $135,240 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 690 jobs in this occupation in Houston, TX. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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