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This bar graph shows the annual salary for Transportation 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 Transportation Engineers.
Projected Growth Rate in Job Openings by 2031: 7%
Data sourced from CareerOneStop, provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices.
Design or prepare plans for new transportation systems or parts of systems, such as airports, commuter trains, highways, streets, bridges, drainage structures, or roadway lighting.
Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices.
If you're interested in shaping the future of transportation systems, becoming a transportation engineer might be the perfect career path for you. This role involves designing, planning, and managing infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, airports, and public transit systems to ensure safe and efficient movement of people and goods. Here's how you can become a transportation engineer:
Before diving into the necessary education and skills, it's important to have a clear understanding of what a transportation engineer does:
A solid educational foundation is essential to start your career as a transportation engineer:
Earn a Bachelor's Degree:
Consider Advanced Degrees:
Hands-on experience is crucial in this field:
Internships:
Cooperative Education Programs:
Licensing is a key step in your career as a transportation engineer:
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam:
Professional Engineering (PE) License:
Continued Education:
In addition to formal education, certain skills will enhance your effectiveness as a transportation engineer:
Technical Skills:
Soft Skills:
Engaging with professional organizations can provide networking opportunities, resources, and further accreditation:
Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE):
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE):
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to becoming a transportation engineer. Remember to stay curious, keep learning, and seek out mentors who can guide you through your professional development. Your role in creating efficient and sustainable transportation systems is not only valuable but also essential for the advancement of modern infrastructure.
To become a transportation engineer, you typically need to have:
Yes, licensure is generally required for transportation engineers who offer their services publicly. Here's what you should know:
To succeed as a transportation engineer, you should have:
As a transportation engineer, your job duties may include:
The job outlook for transportation engineers is positive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of civil engineers, which includes transportation engineers, is projected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations over the next decade. This growth is driven by the ongoing need to maintain and improve transportation infrastructure.
Absolutely! Transportation engineers have diverse opportunities in both sectors:
Joining professional organizations can provide networking opportunities, resources, and continued education. Consider these organizations:
These organizations offer conferences, publications, and forums that can be invaluable for career development.
Advancing your career may involve:
By staying current with industry trends and technologies, you'll be better positioned for advancement opportunities.