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This bar graph shows the annual salary for Civil Engineers.
Data sourced from O*NET Online, provided by the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics wage estimates.
This line chart shows the projected job growth over 10 years for Civil Engineers.
Projected Growth Rate in Job Openings by 2031: 7%
Data sourced from CareerOneStop, provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
If you're aiming to build a career in civil engineering, you're looking at a profession that plays a pivotal role in designing and maintaining the infrastructure we rely on daily. Here's a step-by-step guide to becoming a civil engineer:
Before diving into the educational path, it's essential to know what civil engineers do. They design, construct, supervise, operate, and maintain large construction projects and systems, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and water supply and sewage treatment systems.
For many civil engineering positions, especially those that involve public projects, you must be licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE).
Civil engineers must keep up with new technologies and changing standards.
To succeed as a civil engineer, certain soft skills are just as crucial as technical knowledge:
By following these steps and being committed to lifelong learning and professional development, you can establish a successful career as a civil engineer. Stay proactive in seeking opportunities that will enhance your expertise and propel your career forward.
The career path for a civil engineer typically includes several stages:
While it's not always necessary to have a master's degree in civil engineering, it can be beneficial for several reasons:
The primary licenses for civil engineers include:
Visit National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) for more information on licensing exams.
Civil engineering is broad, with various specializations, including:
Continuing education is crucial for civil engineers to:
Professional societies such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) offer resources for continuing education.
Civil engineers can explore various roles beyond traditional design and construction, such as:
Progressing to management often involves:
Yes, civil engineers have the potential to work internationally. Considerations include:
Organizations such as Engineers Without Borders provide opportunities for international work.
Sustainable development is an increasingly important field within civil engineering. Opportunities include:
Sustainability certifications, like LEED, can also enhance a civil engineer's qualifications in this area.