Occupation · SOC 17-2051
Civil Engineers
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 wage
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Projected growth
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—
Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
320 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningMathematicsCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionSpeakingScienceSystems Analysis
Knowledge areas
DesignEngineering and TechnologyBuilding and ConstructionMathematicsEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Document management softwareFile versioning softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDevelopment environment software
Representative tasks
Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.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.Estimate quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility.Prepare or present public reports on topics such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, or property and right-of-way descriptions.Design energy-efficient or environmentally sound civil structures.Test soils or materials to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel.Identify environmental risks and develop risk management strategies for civil engineering projects.Conduct studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify engineering problems and assess potential project impact.Develop or implement engineering solutions to clean up industrial accidents or other contaminated sites.Design or engineer systems to efficiently dispose of chemical, biological, or other toxic wastes.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
AutoCAD and Civil 3D — produce plan-and-profile drawings under a senior engineer's review.Structural calculations from textbook formulas — perform on assigned components in standard load cases.Site visits and field measurements — collect accurately for a familiar project type.Permit drawings and submittal packages — assemble per agency checklists under EIT supervision.Engineering codes (IBC, AASHTO, ASCE 7) — locate relevant sections when prompted.Quantity take-offs from plans — produce for a defined scope under a senior's review.Construction submittals (shop drawings, material certs) — review for compliance with the design.Project documentation (RFIs, design changes, meeting minutes) — log accurately to the firm's standards.Survey data interpretation — read points, contours, and benchmarks correctly on routine sites.Engineering software (HEC-RAS, SAP2000) at intro level — operate to a tutorial on assigned tasks.
developing
Single-discipline design (structural framing, drainage layout, intersection geometry) — produce stamped-ready drawings with a P.E.'s review.Construction submittals and RFIs — respond independently on routine project items.Quantity and cost estimates for a defined scope — produce credible numbers on standard projects.Building and infrastructure code interpretations — apply correctly to non-routine items with senior backstop.Site inspections during construction — perform and document on assigned phases.Permit applications and agency coordination — prepare and submit on a routine project.Subcontractor specifications and bid packages — draft for senior review.EITs and interns on assigned tasks — guide on technique and quality.Engineering software at production level — operate end-to-end on assigned scope (e.g. full structural model).Project schedules and milestones — track and flag slippage to the project engineer.
proficient
Multi-discipline coordination on mid-sized projects — own as project engineer or P.E. of record.Stamped engineering for non-routine designs — sign and seal within scope of practice.Client meetings and design presentations — lead with credibility on owned projects.Constructibility reviews with contractors — drive change-order resolutions on the engineering side.Specialty calculations (seismic, fatigue, scour, foundation settlement) — execute on complex projects.Younger engineers across the team — mentor on judgment, code, and client interactions.Permit negotiations and agency design exceptions — negotiate with reviewers on contested items.Design reviews of peers' work — provide substantive feedback in formal QA/QC sessions.Specialty software at expert level — train juniors and own complex modeling.Project profitability on owned engagements — manage to budget and schedule.
advanced
Multi-million-dollar projects — lead as project manager or principal-in-charge.Engineering practice and standards on a discipline — set, document, and uphold across the firm.Major client relationships at agency, owner, and developer level — steward across multi-year programs.Engineering business development — originate and close pursuits in a market segment.Engineering staff hiring and development — shape the practice's talent over multi-year horizons.Expert-witness or specialty consulting — provide on litigation, failures, or contested designs.Industry leadership (ASCE, ASHE, AWWA, etc.) — represent the firm and advance the profession.Multi-discipline programs (transportation packages, master plans) — direct across structural, geotech, water, and traffic teams.Engineering risk management — own the firm's professional-liability exposure on a portfolio.Engineering culture and practice — shape across the firm through standards, rituals, and quality programs.
Also known as
170 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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