Civil Engineers
Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed
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.
Median pay: $100,840/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +5% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 23,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
• Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
• Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
• Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
• Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures, using computer-assisted design or drawing tools.
• Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, program modifications, or structural repairs.
• Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, or other topographical or geologic data.
• Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations or establish reference points, grades, or elevations to guide construction.
What's the median pay for Civil Engineers?
The median pay for Civil Engineers is $100,840 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Civil Engineers?
Employment for Civil Engineers is projected to change +5% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Civil Engineers?
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Civil Engineers?
About 23,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.