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Engineering Technology · Environmental Technology Rank #1 of 6

Environmental Technologyat North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Graduates earn $47,936/yr in their first year — about 5.0% below the national Environmental Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $674K; scenarios range from $629K to $684K depending on AI disruption.

Raleigh, NC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
62 SOLID
63
Optimistic
63
Pessimistic
Earnings
$47,936
1-year post-graduation
ROI
20.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$674K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
28% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at NC State

This specialized program at NC State leverages the university's strong engineering foundation and practical focus, preparing you for a vital, hands-on role in environmental stewardship. The financial outcomes reflect the applied technician track, which provides consistent demand and stable career paths rather than the higher-risk, higher-reward profile of some pure engineering or R&D roles. You'll find a robust job market within North Carolina's Research Triangle Park ecosystem, where major employers like state environmental agencies, biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturers, and large utility providers actively recruit. Your work will involve critical tasks such as monitoring environmental systems, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining complex equipment. To maximize your early career potential, actively pursue internships with local firms or government bodies to build practical experience and network.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$629K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score63/100
Earnings Multiple17.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$674K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple18.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$684K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score63/100
Earnings Multiple19.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to NC State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Environmental Technology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
+1.5% 10-yr growth · 5,700 openings/yr
$77,390/yr
Low
2
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 40,100 openings/yr
$59,810/yr
Low
3
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$58,890/yr
Moderate
4
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
-6.5% 10-yr growth · 10,700 openings/yr
$58,260/yr
Low
5
Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 5,600 openings/yr
$49,490/yr
Moderate
6
Hazardous materials removal workers
+1.0% 10-yr growth · 5,000 openings/yr
$48,490/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Environmental Technology

How NC State stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
The University of Findlay
OH · Private nonprofit
58
DW Score
$67K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Pennsylvania College of Technology
PA · Public
50
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
8.1x
ROI
Iowa State University
IA · Public
55
DW Score
$64K
1-yr earn
14.2x
ROI
Same state (NC)
Appalachian State University
NC · Public
51
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
14.7x
ROI
University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla
PR · Public
23
DW Score
$12K
1-yr earn
4.2x
ROI
Also at NC State

Other top programs at NC State

Other highest-scoring programs offered at NC State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Environmental Technology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Environmental Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Environmental Technology at NC State

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Environmental Technology at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?

A score of 62/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Environmental Technology field.

What makes North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Environmental Technology program stand out?

Ranked #1 of 6 programs nationally, North Carolina State University at Raleigh lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.