Waste treatment engineer
Also known as: waste treatment technology engineering consultant, waste treatment technology engineering adviser, waste treatment engineering adviser, industrial waste treatment engineer, waste treatment engineers, waste treatment technology engineering expert
About this occupation
Waste treatment engineers design processes, facilities and equipment used in the collection, treatment, and distribution of waste. They research environmental standards and policies in order to optimise waste treatment procedures and ensure minimal strain on the environment by analysing and classifying the processed waste.
A specialisation of environmental engineer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- assess environmental impact
- advise on waste management procedures
- environmental legislation
- maintain waste collection records
- waste and scrap products
- perform scientific research
- characteristics of waste
- adjust engineering designs
- develop hazardous waste management strategies
- energy
- energy market
- develop waste management processes
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers (O*NET 11-9199.11). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Identify environmental contamination sources.
- Coordinate on-site activities for environmental cleanup or remediation projects to ensure compliance with environmental laws, standards, regulations, or other requirements.
- Identify and apply for project funding.
- Plan or implement brownfield redevelopment projects to ensure safety, quality, and compliance with applicable standards or requirements.
- Estimate costs for environmental cleanup and remediation of land redevelopment projects.
- Conduct quantitative risk assessments for human health, environmental, or other risks.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Enterprising, Realistic
Top skills: Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Coordination
US median pay: US$141,900 a year (2025), 622,190 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentVery important (3.6)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.6)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.5)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.3)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.1)
- Environmental ScienceO*NET: Biology + GeographyImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Conservation Scientists
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Water Resource Specialists
- Industrial Ecologists
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.