Civil Engineer

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Work Tasks

CIVIL ENGINEERS plan, design and supervise the construction and maintenance of roads, airports, tunnels, bridges, pipelines, water supply and sewage systems, buildings, and other types of facilities. Many civil engineers hold administrative positions, ranging from supervisor of a construction site to city engineer. Others may work in design, construction, research, consulting, and teaching. They may specialize in urban planning, land development, waste water treatment, soil mechanics, environmental, transportation, highway, geo-technical, or another of the many civil engineering specialties

Salary, Size & Growth

• $74,000 average per year ($35.50 per hour)
• A large occupation (249,100 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (2.4% per year)

Entry Requirements

A bachelor's degree in an accredited engineering program is usually required for beginning CIVIL ENGINEER positions. Graduate training is essential for engineering faculty positions. Many engineers obtain a master's degree to learn new technology, to broaden their education, and to enhance their promotion opportunities. Registration may be required for civil engineers. Registration requirements include a degree from an accredited engineering program, 4 years of relevant work experience, and a passing grade on two national examinations.