Environmental Engineer Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Environmental Engineers in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$99,440
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $107,110
State Rank
#30 of 50
state estimate

How much does an Environmental Engineer make in North Carolina?

An Environmental Engineer working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $99,440 per year, or about $47.81 per hour. That is 7% below the national median of $107,110 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $69,000 while the top 10% make $143,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,640 and $127,040 a year.

Environmental Engineer salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$69,000$33.17
25th percentile (early career)$76,640$36.85
50th percentile (median)$99,440$47.81
75th percentile (experienced)$127,040$61.08
90th percentile (top earners)$143,040$68.77

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 30th out of 50 states and territories for Environmental Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Louisiana$130,510
2California$130,410
3Oregon$127,100
4Washington$125,460
5Texas$123,060

Working as an Environmental Engineer in North Carolina

Nationally, about 38,000 people work as Environmental Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($99,440) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Environmental Engineer make in North Carolina?
The median Environmental Engineer salary in North Carolina is $99,440 per year, or about $47.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $69,000 at the entry level to $143,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Environmental Engineers about 7% less than the national median of $107,110. North Carolina ranks 30th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Environmental Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $99,440 a year. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Environmental Engineer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.