What is a civil engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Karen Panetta Ph.D.
introduction image

A civil engineer designs, plans, and oversees construction projects related to infrastructure and public works, such as roads, bridges, tunnels, buildings, and water systems. They collaborate with architects and other engineers to ensure safe, functional, and environmentally sustainable structures. Civil engineers also conduct feasibility studies, analyze data, and use computer modeling to determine the best materials, methods, and costs. They consider factors such as traffic flow, soil composition, weather patterns, and government regulations.

What general advice would you give to a Civil Engineer?

K

Karen Panetta Ph.D.Karen Panetta Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Dean of Graduate Education, School of Engineering, Tufts University

This is a different generation of graduates, and many employers are going to want to know how you dealt with and responded to the COVID crisis. The response to this tells so much about an individual’s ability to deal with and overcome adversity. They seek innovative, upbeat, and definite answers that show that students are prepared for anything and will be resourceful.

They are also looking to see what personal actions and community involvement students participated in. For instance, online tutoring for kids whose parents needed help homeschooling their kids while they worked, or using their engineering skills to 3D print PPE for local nursing homes and other at-risk populations.

Every engineering student comes out with technical skills, but the ones that used them, and showed their compassion for humanity, will be the ones that companies will want to hire.
ScoreCivil EngineerUS Average
Salary
5.5

Avg. Salary $70,950

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.3

Growth Rate 7%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.30%

Asian 15.59%

Black or African American 3.81%

Hispanic or Latino 11.18%

Unknown 4.64%

White 64.48%

Gender

female 16.45%

male 83.55%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress Level
7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.3

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.1

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Civil Engineer?

Pros

  • High demand for civil engineers

  • Good salary and benefits

  • Potential for career advancement

  • Job stability

  • Opportunity to travel for work

Cons

  • Long work hours, including nights and weekends

  • Challenging and complex work can lead to burnout

  • Time-consuming permitting processes

  • Can be physically demanding

  • Often requires working outdoors in various weather conditions

Civil Engineer career paths

Key steps to become a civil engineer

  1. Explore civil engineer education requirements

    Most common civil engineer degrees

    Bachelor's

    77.1 %

    Master's

    12.3 %

    Associate

    5.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific civil engineer skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Civil 3D11.49%
    Engineering Design6.86%
    Cost Estimates6.57%
    Project Management5.57%
    Construction Projects4.24%
  3. Complete relevant civil engineer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New civil engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a civil engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real civil engineer resumes.
  4. Research civil engineer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage production of full sets of contract documents (grading, drainage, water, sewer, paving and SWPPP).
    • Manage project programming requirements and manage HVAC design activities.
    • Project manage the overall reorganizing and restructuring of the telecommunication department.
    • Design engineer and project manager for HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems.
  5. Prepare your civil engineer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your civil engineer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a civil engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Civil Engineer Resume templates

    Build a professional Civil Engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Civil Engineer resume.
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
    Civil Engineer Resume
  6. Apply for civil engineer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a civil engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Civil Engineer Job

Zippi

Are you a Civil Engineer?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average civil engineer salary

The average Civil Engineer salary in the United States is $70,950 per year or $34 per hour. Civil engineer salaries range between $51,000 and $97,000 per year.

Average Civil Engineer Salary
$70,950 Yearly
$34.11 hourly

What Am I Worth?

Loading...
Loading...
salary-calculator

How do civil engineers rate their job?

5/5

Based On 2 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Civil Engineer reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

fast degree plan


profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

I Wana build my career in airport engineering

Cons

Less money in this civil engineering works


profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

The salary and the benefits that come with a job.

Cons

Possible trouble finding jobs.


Working as a Civil Engineer? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall Rating*
Career Growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Civil Engineer FAQs

Search for civil engineer jobs

Loading...
Loading...

Civil Engineer jobs by state

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse architecture and engineering jobs