Environmental Consulting Services

The 8,369 environmental consulting services firms in the US provide expert advice and assistance to other companies and organizations on environmental issues. Major services offered include environmental assessments, site remediation planning, natural resource management, and waste management consulting services. Firms may also provide evaluations of environmental studies, environmental audits, and environmental policy development services.

Dependence on Skilled Staff

Environmental consulting firms rely on highly skilled staff to provide professional services to clients.

Dependence on Government Contracts

Government contracts can account for a significant percentage of business for environmental consulting firms, and projects typically involve a highly regulated procurement process.

Sep 29, 2026 - Forever Chemicals Fuel Environmental Consulting Demand

• The nationwide push to remove “forever chemicals” (aka PFAS) from drinking water is creating a growing pipeline of work for environmental consulting firms. The EPA announced nearly $1 billion in additional funding in May to help states address PFAS and other emerging contaminants, while its PFAS OUT initiative aims to work directly with about 3,000 water systems already facing PFOA or PFOS problems. Consultants can help utilities determine the extent of contamination, evaluate treatment options, design remediation systems, and navigate funding and compliance requirements. The work extends beyond drinking water. EPA updated its PFAS destruction and disposal guidance in 2026 as contaminated soil, wastewater, and other materials create difficult cleanup questions. Even with the EPA proposing to give some water systems until 2031 to meet federal PFOA and PFOS limits, those systems still need time to test, plan, finance, and build treatment projects.
• The rush to build AI-powered data centers is opening a fast-growing niche for environmental consulting firms as developers face increasingly complex permitting challenges before construction can begin. Large data centers require extensive reviews of wetlands, stormwater management, wildlife habitat, air quality, and utility infrastructure, while their heavy water use has become a flashpoint in many communities. In Virginia, the nation's largest data center market, state officials recently warned that growing demand is putting pressure on groundwater supplies, and researchers in Texas estimate data centers could account for as much as 9% of the state's water demand by 2040. Those concerns are driving demand for hydrologists, environmental scientists, and permitting specialists who can help projects satisfy regulators, address community objections, and avoid costly delays, according to the Associated Press and industry legal analyses.
• The Trump administration’s EPA has finalized its repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, the landmark determination that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare and can therefore be regulated under the Clean Air Act. The repeal eliminates the legal basis for federal greenhouse-gas standards for cars, trucks, and other vehicles, with EPA estimating the move will save more than $1.3 trillion in regulatory and compliance costs. Critics argue the rollback weakens the federal government’s primary authority to address climate change, particularly in the transportation sector, which accounts for roughly 28% of US greenhouse-gas emissions. While the most immediate effect has been the elimination of federal vehicle emissions standards, the broader impact remains uncertain because numerous states, environmental groups, and public-health organizations have challenged the rule in court, setting up what could become a major Supreme Court battle over the future of federal climate regulation.
• US power plant emissions increased notably in 2025, reversing a decades-long downward trend, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Sulfur dioxide led the increases, while nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide also rose, driven largely by a 13% surge in coal generation. The uptick coincides with Trump’s pro-coal policies and rollback of Biden-era regulations, including the EPA's reversal of its endangerment finding for carbon dioxide and repeal of stricter mercury and air toxics standards. Analysis of EPA emissions data by the Natural Resources Defense Council indicates some facilities reduced operation of their pollution control equipment, raising compliance and operational risk fears. Texas saw particularly sharp increases, with select plants elevating sulfur dioxide output relative to energy produced, an indicator of scrubber underperformance. For environmental consultants, it’s a moment to reassess how clients monitor emissions, meet reporting requirements, and plan for a regulatory landscape that may continue to shift.

Industry size & Structure

The average environmental consulting firm operates out of a single location, employs around 11 workers, and generates $2.7 million in annual revenue.

• The environmental consulting services industry consists of about 8,370 firms that employ 92,016 workers and generate $20.7 billion annually.
• The industry is fragmented; the top 50 companies account for about 40% of industry revenue.
• Large firms, which include Jacobs, WSP Global, ERM, and Tetra Tech, may have operations in foreign countries.