Other Engineering Professionals
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Other Engineering Professionals includes occupations such as Aeronautical Engineers, Agricultural Engineers, Biomedical Engineers, Engineering Technologists, Environmental Engineers and Naval Architects.
Tasks
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performs and supervises engineering work concerned with the design, development, manufacture, maintenance and modification of aircraft for flight
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performs and supervises engineering work related to the use and development of agricultural land, buildings, machines and equipment
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applies knowledge and methodology of physics, engineering, mathematics, computing, physical chemistry and materials science to problems in biology and the treatment and prevention of human disease
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analyses and modifies new and existing engineering technologies and applies them in the testing and implementation of engineering projects
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assesses the impact on air, water, soil and noise levels in the vicinity of engineering projects, plans and designs equipment and processes for the treatment and safe disposal of waste material, and assesses what may cause problems for the environment in the long-term. Registration or licensing is required
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designs and oversees the construction and repair of marine craft and floating structures
Characteristics
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University
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Practical
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Analytical
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Administrative
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Sedentary
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Light
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Medium
-
Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow strongly
- is likely to reach 14,400 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 6,600 |
2012 | 10,400 |
2013 | 9,200 |
2014 | 7,000 |
2015 | 7,300 |
2016 | 8,700 |
2017 | 12,000 |
2018 | 13,200 |
2019 | 19,200 |
2020 | 12,800 |
2021 | 13,300 |
2026 | 14,400 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 89% of people employed as Other Engineering Professionals work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 23 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
More than half of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median full-time earnings are $1,920 per week, this is much higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,424
- 1 in 4 earn more than $2,788
Median hourly earnings are $50, this is more than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Other Engineering Professionals | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,920 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Other Engineering Professionals work in industries like:
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Manufacturing
- Health care and social assistance
- Wholesale trade.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Other Engineering Professionals | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 31.7 | 31.6 |
VIC | 30.6 | 25.6 |
QLD | 17.0 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.1 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.3 | 1.0 |
ACT | 2.9 | 1.9 |
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Around 78% of Other Engineering Professionals live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Other Engineering Professionals is 37 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 15% of the workforce. This is 33 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Other Engineering Professionals | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 6.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 35.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 28.0 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 15.9 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 6.3 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.9 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.6 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 37 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor degree in engineering or a diploma of engineering (technical) is needed to work as an Other Engineering Professional. Some workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Registration may be required in some states and territories. In addition, Engineers Australia has a non-compulsory National Engineering Register.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Aeroskills Industry and Metal and Engineering VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Other Engineering Professionals | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 28.2 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 53.1 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 8.0 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 6.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 3.8 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.4 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Other Engineering Professionals who can communicate clearly, work well in a team and have strong interpersonal skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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64%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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63%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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63%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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61%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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61%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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61%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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59%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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59%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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59%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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57%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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57%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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55%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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54%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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52%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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50%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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50%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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50%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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50%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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50%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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45%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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85%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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77%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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76%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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75%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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71%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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70%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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70%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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69%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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69%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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68%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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65%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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64%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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63%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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63%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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58%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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56%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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56%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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54%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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49%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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45%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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66%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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64%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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64%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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64%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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64%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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61%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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61%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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57%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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57%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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57%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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55%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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55%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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55%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
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54%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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54%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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52%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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50%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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48%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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43%
MemorizationRemember things like words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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82%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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82%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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81%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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81%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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80%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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78%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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77%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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76%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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75%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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75%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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75%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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75%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
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74%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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73%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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71%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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69%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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66%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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66%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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65%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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62%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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67%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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62%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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52%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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43%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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24%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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81%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
81%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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81%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
71%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
62%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
62%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
-
100%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
98%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
96%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
91%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
87%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
86%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
86%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
85%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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84%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
82%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
79%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
78%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
77%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
76%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
75%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
73%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
72%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
70%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
-
68%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
65%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 17-2081.00 - Environmental Engineers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.