Civil Engineer
Civil engineering is a specialized field focused on the planning, design, and oversight of infrastructure projects, which include bridges, roads, dams, and various utility systems like water and sewer lines. Civil engineers are responsible for ensuring the safety and durability of these structures while managing costs and adhering to environmental regulations. Typically, they work for government agencies, architectural firms, or engineering consultancies and may spend significant time both in office settings and at construction sites.
The profession requires a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited program, with an emphasis on subjects such as physics, mathematics, and structural design. Civil engineers often specialize in areas like structural engineering, hydraulic engineering, or environmental engineering. The job outlook is robust, with expected demand for civil engineers remaining high due to ongoing infrastructure needs. With a median annual salary of approximately $95,890, the profession offers competitive compensation and opportunities for advancement, often requiring further education or licensure for higher-level positions. Civil engineers must demonstrate strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure while collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
Civil Engineer
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Architecture & Construction Manufacturing, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Interests: Research, innovation, construction, working with small details
Earnings (Yearly Median): $95,890 per year $46.10 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 5% (Faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Civil engineers plan and oversee infrastructure construction projects such as bridges, dams, roads and highways, sewer systems, power plants, and buildings. They assess costs, the durability of building materials, and the physical environments where projects are being constructed. Civil engineers direct and help survey sites, analyze blueprints, drawings, and photographs, test soil and other materials, and write and present important reports. They work for federal, state, and local governments as well as engineering and architectural firms. Most civil engineers specialize in a subfield such as sanitation engineering, structural engineering, or transportation engineering.
Work Environment. Civil engineers work in government offices, architectural firms, engineering consultant groups, utility companies, and other office environments. These are where meetings are conducted, plans are drafted, and reports are filed. Civil engineers also spend a great deal of time at project sites, which include building renovation and construction projects, active roadways and highways, along sewer and water lines, and other parts of a region’s infrastructure. Many civil engineers spend the majority of their time on site. Although most civil engineers work a standard forty-hour workweek, they may work extra hours as deadlines approach or emergencies occur.
Occupation Interest.Civil engineering is essential to all developed communities. Civil engineers help build roads, water and sewer systems, waste-management units, and irrigation networks. As they are responsible for public safety, civil engineers must be attentive to detail, demonstrate sound judgment, work well under pressure, and adhere to a strict code of ethics. They also need to be innovative and have strong reasoning skills. The demand for civil engineers remains high. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in 2023, the demand for civil engineers is high, with an expected 25,000 openings each year throughout the 2020s. Civil engineering salaries are competitive, and civil engineers typically receive strong benefits.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Civil engineers’ daily responsibilities and duties vary based on their place of employment and specialty. A civil engineer employed by a city government may focus on only one or two major projects per year, while a civil engineer employed by a major architectural firm may be involved in a greater number of projects. Some civil engineers conduct thorough soil studies in addition to structural integrity and strength tests on building materials. Many civil engineers are also supervisors, overseeing construction crews and other engineers at work sites. Civil engineers occasionally act as consultants, providing technical advice and studies to the client as needed.
In general, civil engineers conduct studies and evaluations of existing engineering issues, such as traffic flow studies for roadway construction projects or flow rate analyses for water system upgrades. They prepare public reports, such as environmental impact assessments, bid proposals for contractors, and detailed descriptions of the proposed project site or sites. Civil engineers write feasibility studies where they estimate the costs and quantities of building materials, equipment, and labor required for a given project. Using drafting tools and software, they create designs for new or improved infrastructure. During the construction phase, civil engineers visit and inspect work sites regularly, monitoring progress and ensuring compliance with government safety standards and the client’s wishes. These inspections also entail testing the strength and integrity of the materials used as well as the environment in which they are being used.
Structural Engineers (005.061-034). Structural Engineers plan, design, and oversee the erection of steel and other structural materials in buildings, bridges, and other structures that require a stress analysis.
Hydraulic Engineers (005.061-018). Hydraulic Engineers design and direct the construction of power and other hydraulic engineering projects for the control and use of water.
Sanitary Engineers (005.061-030). Sanitary Engineers design and oversee the construction and operation of hygienic projects.
Environmental Engineers (005.061-014). Environmental Engineers apply a knowledge of engineering by correcting or improving various areas of environmental concern, such as air, soil, or water pollution.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Civil engineers work in office environments, where they conduct meetings with clients and government officials, prepare public reports, design systems and structures, and organize all documentation pertaining to projects. They also spend a great deal of time at project sites, conducting inspections and overseeing personnel. Some civil engineers also teach at colleges and universities.
Human Environment. Depending on their areas of specialty, civil engineers interact and collaborate with government officials, architects, construction crews, materials and equipment suppliers, business executives, and other engineers. Civil engineering professors also work with students, other professors, and school administrators.
Technological Environment. Civil engineers work with a wide range of technologies and tools during the course of their work. In the office, they use computer-aided design (CAD) and other design software, cartography software, project management systems and databases, and other analytical and scientific programs. At a project site, they use soil collection equipment, electronic distance-measuring devices, levels, compasses, pressure gauges, and scales.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students should study physics, chemistry, and biology. Mathematics, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus, are also essential courses. Furthermore, high school students should take computer science courses and hone their writing and public speaking skills through English and communications classes. Courses that help students understand blueprints and architecture, such as drafting and industrial arts, are also highly useful.
Postsecondary. Civil engineers must receive a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Their training at the undergraduate level should include coursework in thermodynamics, stress analysis, and structural design. This degree is also a requirement for obtaining a professional engineer (PE) license, which also requires that the prospective engineer take two intensive competency exams; though not necessary for all engineering jobs, it is generally recommended. About one in four civil engineers pursues a master's degree in the subject, and some obtain a doctorate; this enhances their competitiveness for senior-level positions and enables them to teach as well as practice engineering.
Related Occupations
− Construction & Building Inspector
− Environmental Science Technician
Bibliography
"Civil Engineers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
Reid, Robert. "Why US Civil Engineering Firms Face a Labor Shortage." American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 1 May 2023, www.asce.org/publications-and-news/civil-engineering-source/civil-engineering-magazine/issues/magazine-issue/article/2023/05/why-us-civil-engineering-firms-face-a-labor-shortage. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.