Environmental consulting firms play a crucial role in helping companies navigate their environmental responsibilities. With growing concerns about climate change and the rising emphasis on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, organizations are increasingly seeking expert guidance to ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and enhance their sustainability efforts. Industries such as energy and utilities, chemicals, and construction are among the largest consumers of environmental consulting services, with these sectors accounting for more than half of the market spend on environment, health, and safety consulting.
These firms offer a wide range of services, from regulatory compliance and risk management to designing and implementing strategies that enhance a company’s environmental stewardship. While some engagements focus on meeting government regulations, others help businesses integrate sustainability into their core operations and brand positioning. In addition to compliance and strategy, environmental consulting firms may provide engineering and design services, project management, equipment manufacturing, and research and development. This ranking highlights boutique environmental consulting firms based in the U.S., rather than the environmental practice areas of larger firms such as MBB or the Big 4. Without further ado, let’s explore the top 10 U.S. environmental consulting firms!
Top 10 US Environmental Consulting Firms
1. AECOM
AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with a presence in over 150 countries. The company offers a comprehensive range of professional services, including design, planning, consulting, and construction management, across various sectors such as transportation, buildings, water, government, energy, and the environment. In fiscal year 2024, AECOM reported revenue of $16.1 billion, reflecting its significant role in addressing complex technical challenges for both public and private sector clients.
In the environmental sector, AECOM provides services that help clients balance growth with resiliency, ensuring compliance while protecting natural ecosystems. The firm's expertise encompasses environmental impact assessments, remediation, sustainability consulting, and innovative solutions for emerging contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). AECOM's commitment to environmental stewardship is evident through its integration of cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices, positioning the company as a leader in delivering resilient and compliant environmental solutions.
2. Tetra Tech
Tetra Tech is a leading global provider of high-end consulting and engineering services, headquartered in Pasadena, California. Established in 1966, the firm has expanded its expertise to address complex challenges in water, environment, sustainable infrastructure, and renewable energy sectors. With a workforce of 30,000 associates operating across 550 offices worldwide, Tetra Tech is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that prioritize sustainability and resilience. In fiscal year 2024, the company reported revenues of $1.34 billion, reflecting its significant role in the industry.
Emphasizing its "Leading with Science®" approach, Tetra Tech offers a comprehensive suite of environmental services. These include planning and permitting, environmental management and compliance, ESG and sustainability consulting, and site remediation. The firm is also at the forefront of addressing emerging environmental concerns, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. By integrating cutting-edge technology and scientific expertise, Tetra Tech consistently provides clients with effective and sustainable solutions to their most pressing environmental challenges.
3. Jacobs
Jacobs is a global engineering and consulting firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with a workforce of approximately 60,000 employees worldwide. In fiscal year 2023, the company reported revenues of around $16 billion, reflecting its expansive operations across various sectors. Jacobs offers a comprehensive range of professional services, including consulting, technical, scientific, and project delivery, catering to both government and private sector clients. The firm's diverse portfolio encompasses areas such as advanced manufacturing, cities and places, energy, environmental, life sciences, transportation, and water.
In the environmental consulting domain, Jacobs has established itself as a leader, providing services that span public and private sector infrastructure projects, as well as industrial and commercial facilities. The company's expertise includes environmental impact assessments, remediation, sustainability consulting, and compliance solutions. Jacobs' commitment to sustainability is evident in its strategic focus on climate response, aiming for all its solutions to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2025. This dedication has been recognized in industry rankings; notably, Jacobs was ranked as the No. 2 global environmental and sustainability consulting firm in Environment Analyst's latest assessment.
4. ICF
ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider headquartered in Reston, Virginia. Established in 1969, the company has expanded its workforce to over 9,000 employees across more than 90 offices worldwide. ICF offers a diverse range of services, including strategic planning, management, marketing, and analytics, catering to both government and commercial clients. The firm's multidisciplinary team comprises business analysts, policy specialists, digital strategists, data scientists, and creatives, enabling ICF to address complex challenges across various sectors.
ICF's project portfolio is categorized into four primary areas: Health and Social Programs, Energy, Environment, and Infrastructure, Safety and Security, and Consumer and Financial services. The company delivers services through three main types of engagements: advisory and strategy development, program management, and technology and analytics solutions. This comprehensive approach allows ICF to assist clients in navigating dynamic markets and regulatory landscapes effectively. Notably, ICF has been recognized for its excellence, ranking No. 186 on Forbes' list of America's Best Midsize Employers in 2017 and No. 15 on PRWeek's Agency Business Report in the same year.
5. TRC
TRC Companies is a prominent engineering, consulting, and construction management firm headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Established in 1969, TRC has expanded its reach to over 100 offices across the United States, with additional international locations, employing a diverse team of professionals. The company's service offerings encompass a wide range of areas, including emergency management planning, engineering, environmental health and safety management, procurement and construction, regulatory and environmental compliance, and remediation and materials management. TRC's integrated approach combines consulting and construction services, enabling them to deliver comprehensive solutions to complex challenges faced by both public and private sector clients.
6. Trinity Consultants
Trinity Consultants is a global environmental consulting firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Established in 1974, the company has expanded its presence to over 70 offices across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and China, employing approximately 1,880 professionals. Trinity specializes in providing comprehensive services in environmental health and safety (EHS) regulatory compliance, engineering, and scientific consulting. The firm's expertise encompasses areas such as air quality, climate change, waste management, water quality, process engineering, and toxicology. Beyond traditional consulting, Trinity offers technology solutions, including software development, professional staffing, and specialized training programs, to address the diverse needs of its clients.
Trinity Consultants has been recognized for its commitment to excellence and industry leadership. In 2024, the company's mergers and acquisitions team received the M&A Best Practices Award at the Western States M&A and Business Symposium, highlighting its strategic growth and successful integration of complementary businesses. Additionally, Trinity's dedication to fostering a positive workplace culture has been acknowledged through various accolades, including being named a Culture Champion in the Culture 500 awards and ranking among the Top 100 Companies with the Best Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Initiatives in 2022. These honors reflect Trinity's ongoing efforts to provide exceptional service to clients while maintaining an inclusive and supportive environment for its employees.
7. Haley & Aldrich
Haley & Aldrich is a private environmental and geotechnical engineering consulting firm headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. Founded in 1957 by MIT professor Dr. Harl Aldrich and Harvard graduate Jim Haley, the company has grown to employ over 1,000 professionals across more than 40 offices nationwide. Haley & Aldrich offers a comprehensive range of services, including environmental health and safety compliance, construction support, contaminated site management, geotechnical engineering, and water resources management. The firm's multidisciplinary team is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that address complex challenges for clients across various industries.
In addition to its core consulting services, Haley & Aldrich emphasizes a client-centric approach, building lasting relationships through technical excellence and advocacy. The company's commitment to understanding and acting on the specific needs of its clients has established it as a trusted partner in the environmental and engineering sectors. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Haley & Aldrich continues to expand its expertise to meet the evolving demands of the industries it serves.
8. Anchor QEA
Anchor QEA is an environmental and engineering consulting firm headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Established in 2009, the company has grown to employ approximately 499 professionals across multiple offices in the United States. Anchor QEA specializes in aquatic, shoreline, and water resource projects, offering services in engineering, environmental sciences, planning and restoration, and technology and innovation. Their multidisciplinary team collaborates to provide comprehensive solutions for complex environmental challenges.
Serving a diverse clientele, Anchor QEA operates in markets such as industrial sectors—including chemical manufacturing, mining, railroads, and shipyards—energy sectors like oil and gas, and various government levels, including federal, state, and local agencies. The firm's expertise encompasses areas such as contaminated sediment management, habitat restoration, coastal resiliency, and environmental compliance. Anchor QEA is committed to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions that enhance environmental and community well-being.
9. GZA
GZA (GeoEnvironmental, Inc.) is an employee-owned consulting firm headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts. Established in 1964, GZA has expanded its presence to over 30 offices across New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Midwest, employing more than 700 professionals. The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services, including geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, ecological services, water resources management, and construction management. GZA serves a diverse clientele across industries such as buildings and real estate, energy, government, industrial sectors, infrastructure, transportation, and water. Their multidisciplinary approach enables them to provide advisory services ranging from environmental health and safety compliance to data visualization and geotechnical engineering.
In February 2023, GZA expanded its capabilities by acquiring Equity Environmental Engineering LLC, a firm renowned for its integrated planning and environmental consulting services in the New York Metro and Mid-Atlantic regions. This strategic acquisition enhanced GZA's service offerings, particularly in environmental planning, and reinforced its commitment to delivering innovative solutions to complex challenges. GZA's mission is to be recognized as a premier specialty consulting firm, providing environmental and geotechnical expertise to a broad range of clients.
10. Partner Engineering
Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. is a leading full-service engineering, environmental, and energy consulting firm headquartered in Torrance, California. Established in 2007, the company has expanded its reach to operate across six continents, employing over 1,200 professionals. Partner offers a comprehensive suite of services, including environmental consulting, remediation, civil engineering, site management, land surveying, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) compliance. These services cater to a diverse clientele in both public and private sectors, supporting clients throughout all stages of a project's lifecycle—from initial due diligence and design to development, construction, and ongoing maintenance and optimization.
In 2013, Partner significantly expanded its capabilities by acquiring the assets of Birdsall Services Group, a nearly century-old engineering firm. This strategic acquisition enhanced Partner's service offerings and solidified its presence in the New Jersey area. The company's commitment to excellence has been recognized through various accolades, including being featured on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies. Partner continues to prioritize innovation and client-focused solutions, maintaining its reputation as a trusted advisor in the engineering and environmental consulting industry.
Conclusion
The environmental consulting industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing global awareness of environmental issues and stringent regulatory requirements. This expansion is fueled by sectors such as energy, construction, and transportation, which are seeking expert guidance to navigate complex environmental regulations and implement sustainable practices. The shift towards renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure further amplifies the demand for specialized environmental consulting services. As industries worldwide prioritize environmental stewardship, the role of environmental consulting firms becomes increasingly pivotal in facilitating sustainable development and compliance. The firms in this article are perfect for anyone with an interest in the field and Management Consulted offers resources to prepare for the rigorous interview process and secure an offer from one of these prestigious companies.