Environmental Engineer salary in North Carolina
Environmental Engineers in North Carolina earn a median of $99,440 a year ($47.81 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $69,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,040 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $107,110. North Carolina ranks 30th of 50 states for environmental engineers pay. The average (mean) salary is $104,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for environmental engineers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,000 | $33.17 |
| 25th percentile | $76,640 | $36.85 |
| Median | $99,440 | $47.81 |
| 75th percentile | $127,040 | $61.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,040 | $68.77 |
| Average (mean) | $104,970 | $50.47 |
Half of environmental engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,286.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,143.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,824.62 |
| Weekly | $1,912.31 |
| Hourly | $47.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Environmental Engineer salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $107,950 | 90 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $102,980 | 110 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $102,110 | 270 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,840 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for environmental engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $130,510 |
| California | $130,410 |
| Oregon | $127,100 |
| Washington | $125,460 |
| Texas | $123,060 |
| Nebraska | $120,620 |
| Idaho | $117,520 |
| Florida | $116,840 |
| Massachusetts | $115,800 |
| Minnesota | $115,750 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,310 | $47.74 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,720 | $48.42 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,130 | $52.95 |
| Engineers, All Other | $112,450 | $54.06 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $134,670 | $64.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $94,790 | $45.57 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,240 | $50.11 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $106,800 | $51.34 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $131,850 | $63.39 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,410 | $56.45 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $70,310 | $33.80 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a environmental engineer make in North Carolina?
The median salary for environmental engineers in North Carolina is $99,440 a year, or $47.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid environmental engineers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of environmental engineers in North Carolina earn at least $143,040 a year. The top 25% earn $127,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for environmental engineers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,000 a year, and a quarter of environmental engineers earn $76,640 or less.