15 Jobs You Can Get With a Civil Engineering Degree

Civil engineers work for environmental, government and private companies and often travel and work outside. Plus, civil engineer salaries are generally above the national median, and the job growth outlook is strong.?

For students and job seekers who enjoy travel, working outside and combining creativity with science and math, civil engineering could be the perfect fit.?

Why Pursue a Civil Engineering Degree?

A civil engineering degree provides the ability to work in several sectors and industries. Civil engineers combine creativity with technical knowledge to build beautiful things and make a difference in the world.?

Civil engineers and those in related occupations often travel to new places and work outside. Plus, finding a job with a civil engineering degree often means landing a position with a good growth outlook and a salary well above the national median.?

A civil engineering degree can open a world of possibilities for job seekers.?

Civil Engineering Job Growth and Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual civil engineer salary is $88,050. However, those in the top 10% make a median salary of $133,320. This also varies by industry and location.?

Some of the highest-paying civil engineering jobs are in oil and gas, with an average salary of $174,550 per year. The average wage for civil engineers in California, Alaska and Delaware falls in the low six figures.?

BLS also forecasts strong job growth in civil engineering thanks to continued government and private investment in infrastructure and renewable energy projects.?

The Top Jobs for Those With a Civil Engineering Degree

Graduates — and, in some cases, those without degrees — who want to earn an especially high civil engineer salary should look at these top 15 job opportunities.

1. Nuclear Engineer?

Nuclear engineers research, design and develop nuclear equipment, including nuclear batteries, reactor cores and radiation shielding. They also deal with nuclear waste disposal and recycling, working to minimize environmental damage. They do work with hazardous materials, which is part of what makes this one of the highest-paying civil engineering jobs.

Median annual salary: $120,380

2. Postsecondary Teacher

Postsecondary teachers instruct students in civil engineering at colleges and universities. They also conduct research and publish studies in academic journals. They plan lessons, teach courses and advise students.?

This is one of the best jobs with a civil engineering degree for those interested in teaching and research.?

Median annual salary: $104,940

3. Senior Civil Engineer?

Senior civil engineers work on large construction projects, including buildings, pipelines and roads, railways and airports. They typically have the experience necessary to take a management role, overseeing resources and timelines. This experience is one reason they earn a high civil engineer salary.?

Median annual salary: $102,050

4. City Engineer

City engineers are civil engineers employed by cities. They design, build and maintain infrastructure. Other duties include:?

• Researching potential building locations.
• Analyzing costs.
• Testing building materials.
• Gathering permits.
• Presenting their findings to appropriate parties.?

City engineers play a key role in creating buildings, airports, roads, tunnels, bridges and water supply structures.?

Median annual salary: $99,330

5. Construction Manager

Construction managers plan, implement and supervise the construction of roads, bridges and structures. They collaborate with senior civil engineers, architects and other personnel to prepare cost estimates and schedules, hire contractors and ensure construction is up to code, on schedule and within budget.?

Median annual salary: $98,890

6. Environmental Engineer

Environmental engineers design and build solutions to environmental problems. They work on recycling and waste disposal plants, water sanitation and air pollution control. They also evaluate the environmental impact of construction projects and develop regulations.?

As fields like green energy and green building grow, this position will likely remain one of the higher civil engineer salaries.?

Median annual salary: $96,820

7. Structural Engineer

Structural engineers evaluate the force resistance of buildings, performing calculations, checking specifications and writing reports. They may also oversee the work of other engineers and inspect project plans.?

This is a very important civil engineering job: Their work helps keep bridges and buildings standing.?

Median annual salary: $86,331

8. Urban and Regional Planner

Urban and regional planners help grow communities by planning and developing large areas of land. They identify a community’s needs, evaluate the land, select building locations, review sites and present plans to officials. They build planned communities, parks and office buildings and are essential in attracting population growth.?

Median annual salary: $78,500

9. Transportation Engineer

Transportation engineers design and plan various transportation projects, including surface streets, highways, railways and bridges. They work with other engineers, including urban planners and civil engineers, to:?

• Evaluate project sites.
• Ensure proper lighting and drainage.
• Evaluate the impact on wildlife.
• Minimize erosion.
• Find the best route for various transportation methods.

Median annual salary: $77,936

10. Geotechnical Engineer

Geotechnical engineers analyze the properties of soil and rock involved in construction projects. They work on earth-related projects such as building tunnels, levees and embankments, and they help select construction sites and build foundations for structures.?

Geotechnical engineers may also work in research and development, designing new equipment and better methods for their field.

Median annual salary: $77,651

11. Building Engineer

Building engineers oversee the repair and maintenance of buildings, ensuring they are safe and livable for occupants. They inspect components like HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical, smoke detectors and elevators, then plan and manage any required repairs. They also ensure buildings are up to the latest codes — an important job that results in an excellent civil engineer salary.?

Median annual salary: $75,168

12. Forensic Structural Engineer

Forensic structural engineers evaluate buildings to prevent, find and fix structural failures. They inspect damage caused by several factors, determine whether buildings have structural flaws and make plans for repair.?

They may work for construction firms, government entities and even as expert witnesses, making this one of the most exciting jobs for those with a civil engineering degree.

Median annual salary: $68,855

13. Drafter

Drafters have a key role in the building process, working with architects and engineers to create technical drawings.?

This is one of the highest-paying civil engineering jobs that doesn’t require an advanced degree: Drafter is often an entry-level position, and some job seekers can obtain this position with an associate degree.

Median annual salary: $60,290

14. Civil Engineering Technician?

Civil engineering technicians assist civil engineers, helping them design and build various infrastructure projects. They draft and review project drawings, conduct field surveys and perform other tasks for the lead civil engineer.?

This is another popular entry-level civil engineering job that doesn’t require an advanced degree.

Median annual salary: $58,320

15. Surveying and Mapping Technician

Job seekers who want to earn a good civil engineer salary with only a high school diploma can look into becoming a surveying and mapping technician. That said, a civil engineering degree certainly won’t hurt a job seeker’s chances of landing this role.

These technicians visit building locations to take measurements, collect data and create maps. This position works with civil engineers, surveyors and cartographers, so they have many employment options.

Median annual salary: $46,910

Final Thoughts: Career Advancement in Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is an exciting and diverse field with positions for many skill sets, interests and education levels.?

While job seekers don’t necessarily need a degree to enter this field, the highest-paying civil engineering jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree. Those who want to advance their careers may want to consider obtaining a master’s degree and keeping up to date on certifications and joining professional associations, like the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).?

Top Takeaways

• A civil engineering degree is an excellent choice for those who enjoy mixing science and math with creativity.?
• Civil engineer salaries vary by industry and location, with the highest salaries in the oil and gas industry, and California and Alaska.
• The highest-paying civil engineer jobs are nuclear engineer, postsecondary teacher and senior civil engineer.
• The best-paying jobs that don’t typically require a bachelor’s degree are drafter, civil engineering technician and surveying and mapping technician.
• Those who want to earn the highest civil engineer salary should earn an advanced degree, keep certifications up to date and join professional associations.?

(Reporting by NPD)