Civil engineers are experts in the planning, development, and maintenance of physical structures, like buildings, bridges, roads, and other construction projects. They also work on environmental issues that protect the environment and the people that live in it. However, civil engineers do not help people directly, like police officers or paramedics do. The job offers a wide range of career options.
In order to become a civil engineer, you must have a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a similar field. A strong ability to solve problems and project manage will be essential.
The field of civil engineering includes many subfields, such as construction management and structural engineering. These fields can be used to develop unique designs for structures. Many civil engineers spend their time in these areas.
A civil engineer's average salary is slightly above the average, though this can vary depending on the type of job you are looking for. Some jobs require a bachelor's degree, and some are more technical than others. Others are more administrative. Although many jobs require a graduate level degree, engineers can still be hired with a bachelor's degree.
You can choose to work on new building designs or build projects. The civil engineering job is highly rewarding. Many engineers go on to higher-ranking positions and take leadership roles within the industry. It is also a fairly low stress occupation, and many employees seek out this type of job because they prefer a balanced work-life balance.
In 2026, there is a projected 11 percent increase in demand for civil engineer. This is why many jobs will be created within the field. This is due in large part to the increasing population's needs. Approximately 32,000 jobs will need to be created by the end of this decade to keep up with the demands of the industry.
Civil engineers can specialize in many areas such as transportation or water hygiene. A structural engineer can help determine the material and physics requirements for a structure and will perform risk assessments before any work is begun. In order to make clean water systems, water hygiene engineers can work with wastewater treatment operators.
Research and Development is another aspect of this field. Engineers working in this field create new technology and devices. A Master's degree is required for research and development jobs. These engineers are often responsible for advising others on innovative programs.
Some civil engineers prefer to be in supervisory positions. These professionals are responsible for supervising other engineers and the planning and execution their projects. They might even be asked for to supervise or train new workers. Project managers need good organizational skills and communication skills to coordinate their staff and other engineers.
Depending on the size of the organization, there will be a number of different levels of seniority. Experienced engineers are able to handle more difficult problems while new engineers require guidance in all aspects of their job.