### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Civil Engineers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			civil engineers imageCivil engineers provide cost estimates for materials and labor to determine a project's economic feasibility.							
						Quick Facts:     Civil Engineers2023     Median Pay
            						$95,890     per year
										$46.10     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    326,300Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    5% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    16,200What Civil Engineers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Civil engineers work in a variety of locations and conditions, commonly splitting their time between an office setting and construction sites. Most civil engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
            
                                                How to Become a Civil Engineer
                                                
                        
Civil engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field to enter the occupation. They typically need a state-issued license if they provide services directly to the public.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for civil engineers was $95,890 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of civil engineers is projected to grow							 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 21,200 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.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for civil engineers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of civil engineers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about civil engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Civil Engineers Do 
            

			Civil engineersCivil engineers design major transportation projects.			
Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects. These projects may include facilities, bridges, roads, tunnels, and water and sewage systems.
Duties
Civil engineers typically do the following:
Analyze plans, survey reports, maps, and other data related to project design
Consider regulations, site selection, and other factors relevant to a project
Analyze the results of tests on soil and building materials to determine strength for foundations and other support
Prepare cost estimates for equipment, materials, and labor to determine a project’s economic feasibility
Use design software to plan transportation systems, hydraulic systems, and structures
Submit permit applications to local, state, and federal agencies, as needed, and confirm that projects comply with regulations
Perform or oversee surveying to establish building locations, site layouts, grades, and elevations to guide construction
Manage the construction or repair, maintenance, and replacement of buildings and infrastructureCivil engineers work in all aspects of planning, designing, and constructing or repairing a building or infrastructure project to ensure that structures and systems are assembled correctly. Depending on the job, civil engineers may be involved in a project from start to finish or for certain stages of it.
Civil engineers’ responsibilities during the planning stage may include researching specific topics, such as building codes for a construction proposal or traffic patterns near an intended site. They also may conduct analyses, such as for estimating availability and costs of concrete and other building materials, to determine a project’s timeline and feasibility.
During design and preconstruction stages, civil engineers may focus on specific elements such as site layout, grading (shaping) the land, and identifying appropriate stormwater and sewage systems for the project. Engineers use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create detailed project plans and may make presentations related to the final design, such as about its environmental impact. They often review project documents and secure required permits before work may begin.
Civil engineers also oversee the building of structures or systems throughout a project’s construction, and they help with signoff and other postconstruction activities. They ensure that work complies with safety regulations and adheres to design specifications, helping to resolve problems that may arise. At the conclusion of a project, they may finalize billing, inspection, and other completion details.
Civil engineers may collaborate on projects with other workers, such as architects, construction managers, and urban planners. They may be assisted by civil engineering technicians.
Civil engineers often work as generalists on a variety of projects, gaining skills in different areas that are widely applicable. Some specialize in one of several areas. The following are examples of types of civil engineers:
***Construction engineers*** manage construction projects, ensuring that they are scheduled and built according to plans and specifications. They typically are responsible for the design and safety of any temporary structures used during construction. They also may oversee a project’s budget and communications.
***Geotechnical engineers*** ensure the safety and sturdiness of foundations for streets, buildings, and other structures and systems. They focus on how these manmade objects interact with the earth, including soil and rock. In this way, their work relates to that of environmental engineers.
***Structural engineers*** design and assess major projects, such as buildings, bridges, and dams, to ensure their strength and durability.
***Transportation engineers*** plan, design, and maintain streets and highways, airports, mass transit systems, harbors, and related systems.
 Work Environment
			Civil engineersAlthough civil engineers work in an office setting to produce plans, they also spend time onsite to oversee construction.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Civil engineers held about 326,300 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of civil engineers were as follows:
        Engineering services
                48%State government, excluding education and hospitals
                12Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                10Nonresidential building construction
                6Federal government, excluding postal service
                3Civil engineers work in a variety of locations and conditions, including indoors in office settings and outdoors at construction sites. Some construction jobs require setting up a temporary office, such as in a trailer, to work onsite.
Work Schedules
Most civil engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Engineers who direct projects sometimes work extra hours to ensure that designs meet requirements and that the projects are on track to meet deadlines.
 How to Become a Civil Engineer

			Civil engineersCivil engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field.			
Civil engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field. Although licensure requirements vary by state, civil engineers usually must be licensed if they provide services directly to the public.
Education
Civil engineers typically need a bachelor's degreein civil engineering or a related field. Civil engineering programs include coursework in math, physics, engineering mechanics, and construction systems. Courses may include a mix of academic learning and laboratory work.
Employers usually prefer to hire graduates of civil engineering programs accredited by ABET. Some students attend schools that have cooperative-education programs (also known as co-ops); others participate in internships. Co-ops and internships provide students with an opportunity to gain practical experience while pursuing a degree.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Licensure is not required for entry-level civil engineers. However, civil engineers typically must be licensed if they provide services directly to the public. Engineers who have a Professional Engineer (PE) license are called professional engineers (PEs).
A PE may oversee the work of other engineers, approve design plans, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State licensure generally requires a bachelor’s or higher degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program, a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, several years of relevant work experience, and a passing score on the PE exam.
Each state issues its own licenses. Most states recognize licensure from other states, as long as the licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements. Some states require continuing education for engineers to keep their licenses.
Certifications, such as in coastal engineering or geotechnical engineering from the American Society of Civil Engineers, also are available. Optional certification may demonstrate a level of competence and experience that make candidates attractive to prospective employers.
Advancement
With experience, some PEs advance to supervisory or administrative positions. Their responsibilities may focus on a specific project, such as a construction site, or encompass broad oversight, such as in working as a city engineer, public works director, or city manager.
Graduate-level education, along with a PE license and experience, may be helpful for advancing into supervisory positions, such as engineering managers.
PEs who have certification that demonstrates expertise in a civil engineering specialty also may be able to advance into senior technical or managerial positions.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Civil engineers must be able to explain, both orally and in writing, the details of their projects. They may need to convey information to a variety of audiences, including nontechnical ones.
***Decision-making skills.*** Civil engineers must be able to balance a variety of objectives, such as the feasibility of plans against cost and safety.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Civil engineers often manage projects and the teams that work on them. They must be able to lead urban planners, surveyors, civil engineering technicians, and others.
***Math skills.*** Civil engineers use calculus, trigonometry, and other mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting.
***Organizational skills.*** Civil engineers often oversee several projects at the same time and must be able to allocate resources effectively.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Civil engineers may encounter problems during each stage of their work. They must be able to evaluate issues that arise and troubleshoot to find solutions.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Civil EngineersMedian annual wages, May 2023Engineers$102,660  Civil engineers$95,890  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for civil engineers was $95,890 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $63,220, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $150,640.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for civil engineers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Federal government, excluding postal service
                $108,680Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                103,920Engineering services
                96,110State government, excluding education and hospitals
                93,390Nonresidential building construction
                78,890Most civil engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Engineers who direct projects sometimes work extra hours to ensure that designs meet requirements and that projects are on track to meet deadlines.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Civil EngineersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Engineers7%  Civil engineers5%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of civil engineers is projected to grow				 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 21,200 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.
			Employment
	
			
With continued investment in U.S. infrastructure, civil engineers will be needed to manage projects that meet society's need for upgrading bridges, roads, water systems, buildings, and other structures.
Civil engineers also will be needed to oversee renewable-energy projects, such as construction of wind farms and solar arrays, as these projects gain approval.
Public projects may depend on funding from state and local governments. Employment of civil engineers may fluctuate with the availability of project funds.
			

                        Employment projections data for     civil engineers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Civil engineers**
			17-2051
			326,300
			342,500
			5
			16,200
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Civil engineers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of civil engineers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Architects**
            Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.
            Bachelor's degree
            $93,310**Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians**
            Civil engineering technologists and technicians help civil engineers plan, design, and build infrastructure and development projects.
            Associate's degree
            $60,700**Construction Managers**
            Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.
            Bachelor's degree
            $104,900**Environmental Engineers**
            Environmental engineers use engineering disciplines in developing solutions to problems of planetary health.
            Bachelor's degree
            $100,090**Landscape Architects**
            Landscape architects design parks and other outdoor spaces.
            Bachelor's degree
            $79,320**Mechanical Engineers**
            Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices.
            Bachelor's degree
            $99,510**Surveyors**
            Surveyors make precise measurements to determine property boundaries.
            Bachelor's degree
            $68,540**Urban and Regional Planners**
            Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities in cities, counties, metropolitan areas, and other jurisdictions.
            Master's degree
            $81,800**Architectural and Engineering Managers**
            Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in the fields of architecture and engineering.
            Bachelor's degree
            $165,370**Project Management Specialists**
            Project management specialists coordinate the budget, schedule, staffing, and other details of a project.
            Bachelor's degree
            $98,580
 Contacts for More Information
								
For information about general engineering education and career resources, visit
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
Technology Student Association (TSA)
For more information about licensure, visit
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
For information about accredited programs in civil engineering and civil engineering technology, visit
ABET
For more information about civil engineers, visit
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Occupational Requirements Survey
For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
Civil engineers (PDF)
CareerOneStop
For a career video on civil engineers, visit
Civil Engineers

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Civil EngineersTransportation EngineersWater/Wastewater Engineers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Civil Engineers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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