Career in Civil Engineering

Overview

Civil engineering is the professional practice of designing and constructing physical and naturally built environments, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways.

Civil engineering takes practical considerations into account to ensure that the constructed project performs its intended function, is safe and efficient, built to the required strength, can withstand the expected loads, and meets the necessary environmental design standards.

Education and Training

Civil engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field. Some employers may also require a master’s degree.

Civil engineering programs typically include coursework in the following areas:

Engineering mechanics
Structural analysis and design
Geotechnical engineering
Transportation engineering
Water resources engineering
Environmental engineering

In addition to formal education, civil engineers must also pass a professional engineer (PE) exam to become licensed.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for civil engineers is expected to be good over the next few years. The aging infrastructure in many countries will require significant investment in repair and replacement, and there will also be a need for new infrastructure to support population growth and economic development.

Salary

The median annual salary for civil engineers was $87,060 in May 2020. The top 10% of earners made more than $134,790, and the bottom 10% earned less than $53,710.

There are a number of other careers that are related to civil engineering, including:

Architectural engineering
Construction management
Environmental engineering
Geotechnical engineering
Transportation engineering

Conclusion

Civil engineering is a rewarding and challenging career that offers a wide range of opportunities. If you are interested in working on projects that have a positive impact on the world around you, then civil engineering may be the right career for you.