Civil engineering: job description, salaries & skills needed

A civil engineer designs and maintains buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures. Since there will probably always be a need for people to make sure that these constructions are safe and stable, the job outlook for civil engineers is positive. If you’re interested in pursuing a civil engineering career, this article can help you gain a deeper understanding of the background, skills, and day-to-day life of people who work in the field. Keep reading to learn more about this exciting career and how you can enter the engineering field.

What is a civil engineer?

Civil engineers can be found in almost any industry, working to optimize the construction of structures while maintaining safety regulations. They’re also found in the aerospace and automotive industries, evaluating the weight load and balance of the latest models. Some common civil engineer duties include:

• Analyzing landscapes, potential risks, opportunities, and barriers
• Drafting blueprints and possible alternatives to reduce risk
• Evaluating timelines, budgets, resources, and labor needed for projects
• Testing soil, materials, and land for stable foundations
• Developing blueprints and prototype models for projects or buildings
• Performing repairs and maintenance on damaged and aging structures
• Utilizing software to model possibilities and dimensions
• Determining the resources required to ensure the safety and durability of the structures they design
• Brainstorming regional challenges that could damage structures and thinking of ways to avoid them
• Proposing plans to clients and management, then adjusting them based on feedback
• Managing teams that build structures

What is a civil engineer’s typical schedule and work environment?

Civil engineers generally spend most of their working time in offices. They once used drawing boards for drafting blueprints, but they’ve been largely replaced by computers. They may work alone or as part of a team, depending on project requirements. Their working schedule is usually 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. They may have to work late nights and weekends occasionally to complete projects before their deadlines.

After completing their construction plans for a specific project, civil engineers may spend time at the construction site to oversee operations. This means they may have to spend time outside in uncomfortable weather conditions, such as extreme heat, cold, or rain. It also means that they may have to relocate for several months at a time until the project is complete. In these situations, they’ll likely receive temporary housing for themselves and their families.

“If you’re interested in pursuing a civil engineering career, this article can help you gain a deeper understanding of the background, skills, and day-to-day life of people who work in the field.”

What are some of the qualifications needed to become a successful civil engineer?

Civil engineering is a competitive field, and there are certain requirements for education, experience, and skills. Once you develop the right qualifications, you can create a CareerBuilder profile so employers can find you. Below are the main qualifications required for the role.

Civil engineering educational requirements

Most civil engineers require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field. While it’s possible to train people with the right skill set to complete civil engineering duties, many managers hire from the graduating class of civil engineers at nearby universities. Here are some common majors that they look for:

• Architecture
• Architectural engineering
• Mathematics
• Mechanical engineering
• Civil engineering

Civil engineers who are committed to the field should consider acquiring a professional engineer license. A bachelor’s degree is usually sufficient to obtain this. Only around 25% of civil engineers have a master’s degree, so this isn’t a requirement to find employment right out of college.

Required experience for a civil engineer

Almost 50% of civil engineers have fewer than five years of experience in the field, and 75% have fewer than 10 years of experience. General civil engineers often specialize in a specific niche after a few years. Their first five to 10 years of employment allow them to build their experience and understanding of the industry and decide what they like. This typically leads to a change in job title, making the field appear younger than it is.

Civil engineering skills

These are some of the most important skills needed for civil engineering:

• Math and physics: One of the most important qualities of a civil engineer is a solid understanding of math and physics. These are used to calculate technical specs for projects and ensure structures will stand the test of time.
• Decision-making: Civil engineers typically work on complex projects. This means they need to make multiple crucial decisions about budgets, safety standards, and deadlines, and other factors.
• Problem-solving: When executing a major project, unexpected issues will often arise. Civil engineers need problem-solving skills to resolve them quickly and effectively.
• Communication: Coordinating a project involves constant communication with multiple parties, including workers, stakeholders, and government officials. Being able to articulate your ideas clearly and convincingly is a major part of being a successful civil engineer.
• Attention to detail: Given the high safety standards that their projects must meet, having excellent attention to detail is one of the most critical civil engineering skills.
• Project management: Civil engineers must lead projects from beginning to completion. This means they have to manage every related element, including people, budgets, and resources.

What is the civil engineering salary?

Entry-level civil engineers typically start at $77,000 annually, but they can quickly earn $85,000 per year. A civil engineer typically earns between $60,000 and $150,000 annually, with a median salary of $94,000. The average pay for a civil engineer can vary based on experience, industry, employer, location, and projects.

What’s the projected job growth for civil engineer roles?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected job growth for civil engineers from 2023 to 2033 is 6%. 22,900 new job openings are expected each year. This is good news for candidates considering entering the civil engineering field. 

What are some related civil engineering position titles and career trajectories?

Given the wide variety of projects that civil engineers can be involved in, they can hold a wide variety of job titles. Some common ones include:

• Structural engineers: These civil engineers focus on designing safe and visually attractive buildings, towers, and bridges.
• City engineers: Also called urban engineers, these workers specialize in designing, building, and managing various types of urban infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.
• Environmental engineers: These engineers are typically involved in projects that relate to protecting the environment, such as water management and waste disposal structures.
• Design engineers: These engineers focus on planning and designing, ensuring their projects are safe and functional.
• Forensic engineers: Unlike most other civil engineering specializations, forensic engineers don’t work on designing and building new structures. Instead, they focus on analyzing engineering failures and accidents, using their expertise to determine what went wrong.
• Geotechnical engineers: These civil engineers work on analyzing the ground and surrounding environment to determine if a location is appropriate for a construction project.
• Water engineers: These workers specialize in designing and building water-related systems for urban water supply, irrigation, wastewater management, and flood control.
• Transport engineers: These engineers focus on designing and building transportation-related structures, including roads and airports.

Civil engineers play a major role in making all our lives safer and better. Given their importance to society, the job is likely to stay in demand for the foreseeable future, making it a great carer choice from both a personal and professional viewpoint.

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