Engineering Tacoma, WA Pop. 219,346

Environmental Engineer Salary in Tacoma, Washington

The median environmental engineer salary in Tacoma, WA is $106,502 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median and 4.3% below the Washington state average.

City Median
$106,502
vs State Avg
$-4,841
vs National
+$9,682
Cost of Living
110%

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

Tacoma offers a median environmental engineer salary of $106,502, which is $4,841 below the Washington state average of $111,343. Compared to the national median of $96,820, Tacoma pays above average for this role.

Tacoma's cost of living is 110% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for environmental engineers in Tacoma spans from $67,100 at the 10th percentile to $162,800 at the 90th percentile — a $95,700 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,400, while senior environmental engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $156,200. With a population of 219,346, Tacoma is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Environmental Engineer Salary in Tacoma by Experience

In Tacoma, an entry-level environmental engineer earns around $70,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $156,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,400
+$6,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$107,800
+$9,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$156,200
+$14,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Tacoma, WA

Percentile Tacoma
10th Percentile $67,100
25th Percentile $83,600
Median (50th) $106,502
75th Percentile $134,200
90th Percentile $162,800

Environmental Engineer Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$147,166
Pop. 151,854
Seattle, WA
$143,294
Pop. 737,015
Vancouver, WA
$98,756
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$89,074
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Environmental Engineer in Tacoma

Education

Most environmental engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Tacoma and the surrounding Washington 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 Tacoma may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Environmental Engineer Jobs in Tacoma

Browse open environmental engineer positions in Tacoma, WA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Environmental Engineer Salary in Tacoma

How much does a Environmental Engineer make in Tacoma, WA? ▼
The median environmental engineer salary in Tacoma, Washington is $106,502 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median of $96,820. Salaries range from $67,100 (10th percentile) to $162,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Environmental Engineer make per hour in Tacoma? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $106,502, a environmental engineer in Tacoma earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Tacoma compare to the Washington state average for environmental engineer pay? ▼
Tacoma's median environmental engineer salary of $106,502 is 4.3% below the Washington state average of $111,343. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Tacoma, WA? ▼
Tacoma has a cost of living index of 110% compared to the national average. This means a environmental engineer salary of $106,502 in Tacoma has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a environmental engineer in Tacoma? ▼
Most environmental engineer positions in Tacoma 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.