Civil engineers

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. 

Includes architectural, structural, traffic, and geotechnical engineers.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, 

interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2023, work was controlled by people for 37.7 percent of civil 

engineers, and work was self-paced for 55.8 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of civil engineers with cognitive and mental requirements, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control >95 <5

Interaction with general public 84.0 16.0

Working around crowds <0.5 >99.5

Telework 36.2 63.8

Work review: Supervising others 32.5 67.5

Work review: Presence of supervisor 63.7 36.3

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and 

experience 

requirements

The minimum level of 

formal education required, 

credentials necessary, onthe-job training, and prior 

work experience necessary 

for average performance in 

jobs.

In 2023, credentials were 

required for 78.9 percent of 

civil engineers. Prior work 

experience was required for 

66.4 percent and on-the-job 

training was required for 

60.8 percent.

A bachelor's degree was 

required for greater than 99.5 percent of civil engineers.
Occupational Requirements Survey ●www.bls.gov/ors ●orsinfo@bls.gov ●202.691.6199

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or 

difficulties that are in the vicinity of where 

jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2023, greater than 99.5 percent of civil 

engineers were not exposed to extreme cold, 

and greater than 90 percent were not exposed 

to extreme heat. Wetness was not present for 

91.5 percent, greater than 99.5 percent were 

not exposed to heavy vibrations, and 21.8 

percent were not exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required 

to perform tasks in jobs. The presence 

and, in some cases, duration of these 

activities are published.

In 2023, keyboarding was required for 

greater than 99.5 percent of civil 

engineers and was not required for less 

than 0.5 percent. For less than 0.5 

percent of workers, keyboarding was 

seldom performed, for 39.3 percent 

keyboarding occurred occasionally, 58.4 

percent frequently, and for less than 10 

percent keyboarding occurred 

constantly.

Performing work in low postures was 

required for 34.1 percent of civil engineers and was not required for 65.9 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 82.5 percent of civil engineers. On average, 

workers spent 78.9 percent of the workday sitting and 21.1 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of civil engineers with physical demands, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing 82.5 17.5

Driving 64.2 35.8

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 31.3 68.7

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey