Develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare designs, specifications, or estimates for transportation facilities. Plan modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.
Transportation Engineers
SOC: 17-2051 O*NET: 17-2051.01
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
Develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare designs, specifications, or estimates for transportation facilities. Plan modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.
What does a Transportation Engineers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$65,920
10th percentile
Early Career
$78,790
25th percentile
Median
$99,590
50th percentile
Experienced
$128,290
75th percentile
Top Earners
$160,990
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$65,920
25th
$78,790
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$99,590
Mean: $107,050
75th
$128,290
90th
$160,990
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $95,070 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $78,790 and $128,290
- •Salary spread is 49.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 355,410 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:368,900
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services57.1%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services57.1%
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services55.3%
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
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Transportation Engineers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
54,640 jobs$118,4501.31x
Texas
33,790 jobs$95,0501.06x
Florida
22,780 jobs$97,8101.01x
New York
17,000 jobs$102,4400.77x
Pennsylvania
14,610 jobs$92,4601.05x
Colorado
13,510 jobs$02.03x
Illinois
13,400 jobs$97,6400.96x
North Carolina
12,670 jobs$93,5901.12x
Washington
11,900 jobs$105,0901.46x
Virginia
11,030 jobs$96,2101.18x
Massachusetts
9,460 jobs$104,4501.13x
Georgia
8,820 jobs$81,0300.79x
Ohio
8,520 jobs$93,4800.67x
Michigan
7,760 jobs$85,5500.77x
South Carolina
7,460 jobs$99,6801.42x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
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 Transportation Engineers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
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 career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Transportation Engineers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Transportation Engineers professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value achievement
RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Transportation Engineers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.59
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.55
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.27
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.23
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.05
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.05
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.5
Analytical Thinking
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Initiative
4.0
Dependability
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.8
Persistence
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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