Civil Engineers

General Information

Description

Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.

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Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit72.88%
  2. State and local government14.59%
  3. Self-employed6.92%
  4. Federal government4.52%
  5. Private, not for profit1.06%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Architecture & Construction

Job Outlook

Employment of civil engineers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 24,200 openings for civil engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$88,050

Military salary*

$80,877

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State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$101,230
$59,200
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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 85%
  • Master's degree 9%
  • Post baccalaureate 4%
  • High school 0%
  • Some college 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Knowledge

  • Engineering and Technology
  • Design
  • Building and Construction
  • Mathematics
  • Customer and Personal Service

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
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