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.
Civil Engineers
SOC: 17-2051 O*NET: 17-2051.00
Median Salary
$99,590
per year
Job Growth
📈 5%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
23.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Civil Engineers do?
How much can you earn?
Salary Distribution by Percentile
Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.
10th
$59,754
25th
$79,672
50th (Median)
$99,590
75th
$119,508
90th
$149,385
Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.
Typical Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- ✓Health Insurance
- ✓Dental Insurance
- ✓Vision Insurance
- ✓Mental Health Support
- ✓Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits
- ✓401(k) Retirement Plan
- ✓Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
- ✓Profit Sharing
- ✓Stock Options
- ✓Performance Bonuses
Work-Life Balance
- ✓Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
- ✓Paid Sick Leave
- ✓Flexible Work Arrangements
- ✓Remote Work Options
- ✓Parental Leave
Professional Development
- ✓Tuition Reimbursement
- ✓Professional Certifications
- ✓Conference Attendance
- ✓Training Programs
- ✓Mentorship Opportunities
Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:368,900
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5%
Annual Openings:23,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)368,900
Current
2034 (Projected)387,500
+5%
+18,500
Employment Change
+5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Judgment and Decision Making
94%
#3
Writing
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Mathematics
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Systems Evaluation
54%
#9
Systems Analysis
46%
#10
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Judgment and Decision Making
advanced4.7
94%
Writing
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Mathematics
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Systems Evaluation
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Mathematics
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Systems Evaluation
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Systems Analysis
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Actuaries82%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Water Resource Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Logistics Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Architectural and Civil Drafters67%
5 shared skills
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Systems Evaluation
- →Active Listening
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Mathematics
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Civil Engineers
Technology Intensity
Very High
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Procore software
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk Revit
🔥 Hot TechBentley MicroStation
🔥 Hot TechDassault Systemes SolidWorks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechC
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visual Basic
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Procore software
The MathWorks MATLAB
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Autodesk Revit
Bentley MicroStation
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Microsoft Access
C
Microsoft Visual Basic
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (8)Management & Supervision (3)General Responsibilities (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Analysis & Evaluation (2)
1
Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations or establish reference points, grades, or elevations to guide construction.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Estimate quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Prepare or present public reports on topics such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, or property and right-of-way descriptions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Test soils or materials to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Conduct studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify engineering problems and assess potential project impact.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation82% perform88%
8
Design energy-efficient or environmentally sound civil structures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Design or engineer systems to efficiently dispose of chemical, biological, or other toxic wastes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Develop or implement engineering solutions to clean up industrial accidents or other contaminated sites.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What education is required?
Education Required
Bachelor's degree or higher
Experience Required
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Job Training
Significant preparation with related work experience