Civil Engineers

Career summary

#matches 2421 Civil Engineers

# review 3/25/19 lh

Civil engineers work on projects such as:

• Roads
• Buildings
• Airports
• Tunnels
• Dams
• Bridges
• Water systems

To begin planning a new project, civil engineers gather a lot of data. To gather data, they:

• Conduct soil tests
• Test materials for strength
• Survey project sites
• Study traffic patterns
• Assess environmental conditions

Civil engineers create and analyze reports, maps, and blueprints. They compute energy use, water flow rates, and grade requirements. They also estimate costs for materials, equipment, and labor. They assess risk and write environmental impact statements if required.

Throughout the building process, civil engineers work with other engineers. They often work on teams, especially for large or complex projects. Sometimes they manage other engineers on a project.

Some civil engineers direct construction at the project site. During construction, they inspect the site to monitor work progress. They also make sure that the project follows the design and meets environmental and safety standards.

Some civil engineers specialize in one area such as:

• Geotechnical engineering
• Structural engineering
• Water resources
• Transportation

In today's green economy, project goals always include using less water, less electricity, and creating less pollution. Some civil engineers manage projects to clean up polluted areas.

Related careers

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Agricultural Engineers
• Architectural and Engineering Managers
• Conservation Scientists
• Construction Managers
• Energy Engineers
• Environmental Engineers
• Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists
• Mechanical Engineers
• Mining Engineers
• Petroleum Engineers
• Validation Engineers

Military careers

• Civil Engineers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to civil engineers.

• Plan and design structures, transportation or water systems.
• Create plans and designs so projects use less water and energy.
• Provide advice to other workers. This includes design, construction, repairs, or changes.
• Analyze reports, maps, geological data, and other information to plan projects.
• Identify how projects could avoid risks to the environment.
• Analyze industrial processes so factories make products with less pollution.
• Design and manage projects to clean up polluted areas.
• Inspect project sites to monitor progress. Ensure construction follows the design.
• Ensure projects follow safety and environmental regulations.
• Manage work at project sites.
• Survey project sites.
• Estimate quantities and costs of materials, equipment, or labor needed to complete projects.
• Prepare or present reports. These include bid proposals or environmental impact statements.
• Test soils and materials for strength.
• Consult with other engineers on engineering teams, especially for complex projects.
• Conduct studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify engineering problems.
• Use computers for writing, designing, and analyzing.
• May specialize in one area, such as structural or environmental engineering.
• May supervise other engineers or manage departments.

Common work activities

Civil engineers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Make decisions and solve problems
• Get information needed to do the job
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Use computers
• Evaluate information against standards
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Think creatively
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Analyze data or information
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Develop and build teams
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Process information
• Monitor and control resources
• Schedule work and activities
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Document and record information
• Coach others
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Teach others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Recruit, interview, or hire others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, civil engineers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a moderate level of social contact. They work half of the time with other engineers and department staff, but spend time alone analyzing data and planning designs.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of the public.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others. This is especially true for engineers when they sign final plans and reports.
• Work with a team that may include other engineers and scientists, field staff, and clerical staff.
• Communicate daily with coworkers by telephone, e-mail, and in person.
• Occasionally write letters and memos.
• Occasionally are placed in conflict situations where there may be disagreement over a project.

Physical work conditions

• Work both indoors and outdoors.
• Often work from a van or car while at project sites.
• Sometimes work inside a building without heat or air conditioning.
• May wear protective gear, such as hard hats.
• Sometimes work in noisy or distracting work environments.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work. Errors could create serious safety hazards for users of the structures they design.
• Make decisions that strongly impact their coworkers and company.
• Meet strict deadlines weekly.
• Can make most decisions and set most tasks without consulting a supervisor.
• Sometimes repeat the same physical and mental tasks.

Hours/travel

• Usually work more than 40 hours per week.
• May travel extensively to work sites.

Physical demands

Civil engineers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for civil engineers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for civil engineers to be able to:

• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

Skills and abilities

Civil engineers need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.

Use math and science

• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
• Use scientific methods to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Obtain needed equipment, facilities, and materials and oversee their use.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Look for ways to help people.

Work with things

• Analyze needs and requirements when designing products.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Civil Engineering
• Construction Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Transportation and Highway Engineering
• Water Resources Engineering

Other programs of study to consider

• Architectural Engineering
• Civil Engineering Technology
• Construction Engineering Technology
• Engineering, General
• Geological and Geophysical Engineering
• Mining and Mineral Engineering
• Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
• Pre-Engineering

Training

To work as a civil engineer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have at least bachelor's degree in civil engineering; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

Most students prepare for this field by earning a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Many four-year colleges and universities offer this program of study. You may need between four and five years to complete this program.

Some jobs require a master's or doctoral degree (PhD). For instance, if you are interested in teaching civil engineering you need a PhD. Also, many engineering students go to graduate school to specialize in an area of civil engineering.

Work experience

You should consider participating in an internship with an engineering firm while you are in college. An internship is usually part of a four-year degree program. It offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

On-the-job training

In general, civil engineers receive one to two years of on-the-job training. New graduates work under the guidance of experienced engineers. In large companies, you may also receive formal classroom training. As you gain knowledge and experience you have greater independence and work on more difficult tasks.

Military training

The military does not provide initial training in this field. However, the military may provide work experience to civil engineering graduates.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements. Engineers use math and science frequently. Try to take math classes through Calculus and science classes through Physics.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Blueprint Reading
• Computer Applications
• Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)
• Computer Science
• Construction
• Drafting

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

A bachelor's degree in civil engineering is usually required for entry-level jobs. College graduates with a degree in math or a physical science may be able to qualify for some entry-level jobs. Employers may require a master's degree or higher for research, consulting, and managerial jobs. Graduate training is required for engineering faculty positions.

Employers prefer to hire civil engineers who are creative and analytical. They look for people who can solve problems and work with abstract ideas. Oral and written communication skills are also important. Employers look for people who can work as part of a team. Employers also prefer civil engineers who have strong computer skills.

Tips

Pay attention to your interpersonal skills as well as your technical skills. Work experience and a professional license are helpful. Opportunities are best for those willing to relocate not only in Washington, but also nationally. Civil engineers with some training in environmental or transportation planning are likely to fare best. Get work experience with construction or engineering firms while in college to make it easier to find employment upon graduation.

Costs to workers

Some workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues. Workers may have to pay for continuing education classes to keep up with changes in the field.

Licensing/certification

Engineers employed in responsible positions in government or in firms offering services to the public, or who stamp their work as being done by an engineer, must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Engineer-in-training licensing requirements include:

• an engineering degree from a school approved by the Accrediting Board for Engineering Technology, or four years of practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer, or a combination of education and work experience; and
• passing a written exam.

Professional engineer licensing requirements include:

• completion of the engineer-in-training requirements;
• four additional years of active practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer or a combination of work experience and education; and
• passing a written exam.

There are different requirements for engineers who work with structures.

Engineers who want to be licensed must pay an exam fee to the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors and a $65 fee for the initial state exam application. The renewal fee is $116 every two years. Not all civil engineers must be licensed.

For information on testing, contact:

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying 
PO Box 1686
Clemson, SC 29633-1686
800.250.3196

For licensing information, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors Licensing Program 
PO Box 9025
Olympia, WA 98507-9025
360.664.1575

#Fine 5/8/13 lh. Checked section; updated NCEES fee for PE exam to $350 & state renewal to $116, 2/26/14 cj. No change to licensing info 3/22/16 cj. Couldn't find licensing fee for engineers-in-training so deleted, rest ok, 2/19/18 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Civil Engineers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Earnings vary greatly based on the civil engineer's level of education. Those with advanced degrees usually earn higher wages. Wages also vary by area of the country.

Benefits vary by employer. Most full-time civil engineers receive benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Government employees usually also receive a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Nearly half of all civil engineers work in firms that provide engineering services. Another one-third work for federal, state, and local government agencies. Most of these civil engineers work for highway and public works departments.

Civil engineers usually work near major industrial and commercial centers. However, some projects are in remote areas or in foreign countries. In some jobs, civil engineers move from place to place to work on different projects.

Major employers:

• Engineering firms
• State, local, and federal government agencies
• Construction companies

National outlook

Demand for civil engineers will be strong due to increased government funding for infrastructure projects such as roads, highways, and water systems. They will be needed to design large buildings and building complexes. In addition to job growth, openings will result from the need to replace civil engineers who retire or leave the field.

Job opportunities will vary by geographic area. Jobs may decrease during economic slowdowns, when construction slows down.

Other resources

American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 
(This website provides a list of engineering-related programs accredited by ABET)
415 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.347.7700

American Concrete Institute 
38888 Country Club Drive
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
248.848.3700

American Institute of Hydrology 
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1230 Lincoln Drive
Engineering D - Mail Code 6603
Carbondale, IL 62901
618.453.7809

American Road and Transportation Builders Association 
250 E St SW
Suite 900
Washington, DC 20024
202.289.4434

American Society of Civil Engineers 
1801 Alexander Bell Drive
Reston, VA 20191
800.548.2723
703.295.6300

Discover Engineering 

eGFI - Dream Up the Future 

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

Engineering Your Future 

Marinecareers.net 

National Academy of Engineering 
500 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.334.3200

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering 

National Association of Women in Construction 
327 South Adams Street
Fort Worth, TX 76104
800.552.3506
817.877.5551

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying 
280 Seneca Creek Road
Seneca, SC 29678

National Ground Water Association 
601 Dempsey Road
Westerville, OH 43081
800.551.7379

National Society of Professional Engineers 
1420 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
888.285.6773
703.684.2800

Society of Women Engineers 
130 East Randolph Street, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60601
877.793.4636

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

The Civil Engineer 

Washington Society of Professional Engineers 

Washington State Department of Transportation Employment Opportunities 

Washington State Science & Engineering Fair 

Water Environment Federation 
601 Wythe Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
800.666.0206

References

Career cluster

• Architecture and Construction

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Civil Engineers (17-2051.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Airport Engineer (005.061-010) 
• Civil Engineer (005.061-014) 
• Drainage-design Coordinator (005.167-014) 
• Forest Engineer (005.167-018) 
• Hydraulic Engineer (005.061-018) 
• Irrigation Engineer (005.061-022) 
• Production Engineer, Track (005.167-026) 
• Railroad Engineer (005.061-026) 
• Resource-recovery Engineer (019.167-018) 
• Sanitary Engineer (005.061-030) 
• Structural Engineer (005.061-034) 
• Transportation Engineer (005.061-038) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Engineer

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Investigative/Conventional

COPSystem

• Technology Professional