Engineering Arlington, VA Pop. 238,643

Environmental Engineer Salary in Arlington, Virginia

The median environmental engineer salary in Arlington, VA is $127,802 per year, which is 32.0% above the national median and 26.9% above the Virginia state average.

City Median
$127,802
vs State Avg
+$27,109
vs National
+$30,982
Cost of Living
132%

Environmental Engineer Pay in Arlington: What to Expect (2026)

Arlington offers a median environmental engineer salary of $127,802, which is $27,109 above the Virginia state average of $100,693. Compared to the national median of $96,820, Arlington pays above average for this role.

However, Arlington's cost of living index is 132%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $127,802 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $96,820. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Arlington should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for environmental engineers in Arlington spans from $80,520 at the 10th percentile to $195,360 at the 90th percentile — a $114,840 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $84,480, while senior environmental engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $187,440. With a population of 238,643, Arlington is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Environmental Engineer Salary in Arlington by Experience

In Arlington, an entry-level environmental engineer earns around $84,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $187,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$84,480
+$20,480 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$129,360
+$31,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$187,440
+$45,440 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Arlington, VA

Percentile Arlington
10th Percentile $80,520
25th Percentile $100,320
Median (50th) $127,802
75th Percentile $161,040
90th Percentile $195,360

Environmental Engineer Salary in Other Virginia Cities

How to Become a Environmental Engineer in Arlington

Education

Most environmental engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Arlington and the surrounding Virginia area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Environmental RemediationWater TreatmentAir QualityEPA RegulationsGISProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, environmental engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Arlington may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Environmental Engineer Jobs in Arlington

Browse open environmental engineer positions in Arlington, VA:

Frequently Asked Questions: Environmental Engineer Salary in Arlington

How much does a Environmental Engineer make in Arlington, VA? ▼
The median environmental engineer salary in Arlington, Virginia is $127,802 per year, which is 32.0% above the national median of $96,820. Salaries range from $80,520 (10th percentile) to $195,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Environmental Engineer make per hour in Arlington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $127,802, a environmental engineer in Arlington earns approximately $61 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Arlington compare to the Virginia state average for environmental engineer pay? ▼
Arlington's median environmental engineer salary of $127,802 is 26.9% above the Virginia state average of $100,693. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Arlington, VA? ▼
Arlington has a cost of living index of 132% compared to the national average. This means a environmental engineer salary of $127,802 in Arlington has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a environmental engineer in Arlington? ▼
Most environmental engineer positions in Arlington require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Environmental Remediation, Water Treatment, Air Quality, EPA Regulations. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.