Occupation · SOC 17-3022
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
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 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
528 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningMathematicsSpeakingWritingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingCoordinationTime ManagementSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessActive LearningSystems EvaluationService OrientationScienceOperations AnalysisPersuasionNegotiationOperations MonitoringInstructingManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingTroubleshootingTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyMathematicsBuilding and ConstructionDesignAdministrativeAdministration and ManagementComputers and ElectronicsCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageMechanicalTransportationPublic Safety and SecurityPhysicsEducation and TrainingLaw and GovernmentPersonnel and Human ResourcesGeographyChemistryProduction and ProcessingTelecommunicationsEconomics and AccountingCommunications and MediaPsychologyBiologyHistory and ArcheologySales and MarketingForeign LanguageTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyFine ArtsMedicine and DentistryPhilosophy and TheologyFood Production
Technology & tools
Autodesk AutoCADAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DAutodesk Land DesktopAutodesk RevitBentley MicroStationBentley Systems InRoads SuiteComputer aided design CAD softwareComputer aided design and drafting software CADDCoordinate geometry COGO softwareDigital terrain modeling softwareESRI ArcGIS softwareEmail softwareGeographic information system GIS softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsGraphics softwareIBM NotesMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Visual BasicMicrosoft WordNational Instruments LabVIEWOperating system softwareSAP softwareSpreadsheet softwareWeb browser software
Representative tasks
Getting InformationWorking with ComputersProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeAnalyzing Data or InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesThinking CreativelyProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicDeveloping and Building TeamsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersTraining and Teaching OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesSelling or Influencing OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentStaffing Organizational Units
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Blueprint dimensions and material specifications — read and interpret under direct supervision on assigned civil construction projects.Basic calculations for square footage and material quantities — perform using a calculator or spreadsheet with guidance from a senior technician.CAD software tools and drawing templates — apply to produce simple dimensional sketches following established drafting standards.Project blueprints and structural drawings — review to identify key components and flag unclear specifications for supervisor clarification.Field measurements and site observations — record accurately in standardized forms during supervised site visits.Supervisor instructions on plan preparation and acceptance testing — follow attentively and seek clarification before proceeding on assigned tasks.Basic project activity logs and daily field reports — prepare using office suite software under direction from a project lead.Maintenance issues and site conflicts observed in the field — report promptly and clearly to the supervising engineer or technician.GIS and map creation software interfaces — navigate to retrieve and display basic geographic data under guidance on entry-level mapping tasks.Mathematics and geometry principles applicable to civil design — apply to straightforward component specification problems in a classroom or training environment.
developing
Dimensional drawings and design layouts — draft with CAD software to conform to project specifications with minimal oversight on routine civil projects.Material quantity takeoffs and profile specifications — calculate independently using spreadsheet and analytical software for standard structural components.Project blueprints, survey data, and structural specifications — review and cross-reference to confirm dimensional accuracy before construction commences.Site factor analyses and findings — compile into maps, graphs, and diagrams using GIS or graphics software for review by the project engineer.Field conditions and design discrepancies — assess and communicate verbally and in writing to supervisors, proposing practical adjustments to resolve conflicts.Progress reports and project activity documentation — prepare with organized detail using office suite and presentation software for internal project records.Acceptance testing procedures — carry out according to established protocols and document results accurately for submission to project leadership.CAD design layouts for moderately complex civil systems — produce and revise efficiently, incorporating feedback from engineers to meet regulatory standards.Critical thinking and deductive reasoning — apply when interpreting ambiguous blueprint details or conflicting specification requirements on active job sites.Coordination with contractors, inspectors, and engineering staff — maintain through clear oral and written communication during routine project milestones.
proficient
Complex dimensional drawings and multi-component design layouts — develop autonomously using advanced CAD tools, ensuring full conformance with civil engineering standards.Proposed site factors including soil, drainage, and environmental data — analyze independently and illustrate findings through detailed maps, tracings, and technical diagrams.Material quantity estimates and component specifications for large-scale civil structures — calculate with precision, applying engineering and mathematical knowledge without routine oversight.Structural blueprints and project specifications for non-routine or irregular designs — read, interpret, and reconcile discrepancies to support accurate construction execution.Comprehensive project activity reports and technical documentation — author clearly and thoroughly, meeting administrative and regulatory reporting requirements for civil infrastructure projects.System conflicts and maintenance problems at project sites — diagnose root causes and negotiate practical design or procedural changes with engineers and contractors to restore compliance.GIS, analytical software, and development environment tools — integrate across workflows to support site analysis, design validation, and data visualization on complex civil projects.Judgment and decision-making — exercise independently when evaluating field conditions or design alternatives, balancing technical, safety, and schedule constraints.Acceptance testing and quality evaluation protocols — lead on site, interpreting results against specifications and escalating non-conformances with documented recommendations.Junior technicians and entry-level staff — mentor in blueprint reading, CAD drafting, and field measurement practices during active civil engineering assignments.
advanced
Competency frameworks and technical standards for civil engineering technician teams — establish and maintain to drive consistent quality across multi-project programs.Project plan preparation strategies and field evaluation methodologies — define in collaboration with senior engineers, optimizing workflows for complex infrastructure programs.CAD, GIS, and analytical software toolsets — direct selection, configuration, and integration at the organizational level to advance departmental design and analysis capabilities.Technical training curricula for civil engineering technologists — design and deliver to build organizational capacity in drafting, site analysis, and specification interpretation.Cross-functional project teams comprising engineers, technicians, contractors, and clients — coordinate and lead to ensure alignment on scope, quality, and regulatory compliance throughout project lifecycles.High-stakes technical reports and executive summaries for civil infrastructure projects — author and present with precision, translating complex engineering findings into actionable guidance for stakeholders.Organizational quality assurance and acceptance testing programs — oversee and continuously improve, applying advanced judgment to resolve systemic design or construction non-conformance issues.Site feasibility studies and design analyses for large-scale civil systems — direct from inception through final recommendation, integrating multi-disciplinary data and engineering expertise.Departmental standards for technical documentation, administrative records, and project reporting — set and enforce to meet organizational, regulatory, and client requirements.Complex, multi-party system conflicts involving design, site conditions, and stakeholder interests — resolve through authoritative negotiation and engineering judgment, establishing precedents for future project decisions.
Also known as
31 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Bridge Construction InspectorCADD Technician (Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Technician)Civil DesignerCivil Engineer HelperCivil Engineer's AideCivil Engineering AssistantCivil Engineering TechnicianCivil Engineering TechnologistCivil Technician (Civil Tech)Concrete Engineering TechnicianConstruction Engineering Technician (Construction Engineering Tech)Construction Field AssistantConstruction Field Technician (Construction Field Tech)Design TechnicianDrafting TechnicianEngineer AssistantEngineer TechnicianEngineering AssistantEngineering TechnicianEngineering TechnologistField TechnicianFire Protection Engineering TechnicianGeotechnical Engineering TechnicianHighway Construction InspectorHighway Engineering TechnicianHighway TechnicianParking AnalystSprinkler Design TechnicianStructural Engineering TechnicianStructural TechnicianTransportation Engineering Technician