Civil Engineers
Civil engineers design and oversee the construction and maintenance of large infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, dams, airports, and water systems. They work for government agencies, construction firms, engineering companies, and private developers, splitting time between offices, job sites, and meetings with clients and contractors.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against civil engineers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
Civil engineers review project plans and specifications, conduct site inspections to monitor construction progress, and analyze soil and structural data. They coordinate with architects, contractors, and inspectors, prepare technical reports, update designs based on field conditions, and attend meetings with stakeholders. Work involves both desk-based design and calculations and time spent outdoors observing ongoing projects.
Who this work suits
Holland code RIC. Realistic work is hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy solving concrete, real-world problems and understanding how things work physically and systematically. You're drawn to investigative work—analyzing data, testing materials, and troubleshooting issues—and you prefer tangible results you can see built in the community.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Civil Engineer · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Vicksburg, Mississippi · $118204–$145483
- CIVIL ENGINEER - DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY · Federal Energy Regulatory Commission · Multiple Locations · $125776–$197200
- CIVIL ENGINEER (HYDRAULICS) · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Galveston, Texas · $86123–$111966
- CIVIL ENGINEER (CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT) · Bureau of Reclamation · Lakewood, Colorado · $146848–$182316
- Supervisory Civil Engineer · Bureau of Reclamation · Grand Junction, Colorado · $104502–$127443
- Civil Engineer · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · New Orleans, Louisiana · $99402–$129225
- Civil Engineer (Structural) · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Jacksonville, Florida · $106437–$138370
- Civil Engineer (Structural) · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Kansas City, Missouri · $99954–$127443
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $96,590 | $122,500 | $149,350 | 55,180 |
| Alaska | $94,960 | $114,730 | $134,280 | 1,670 |
| Washington | $96,230 | $110,000 | $133,050 | 12,590 |
| Massachusetts | $84,570 | $106,730 | $134,810 | 9,450 |
| Louisiana | $78,770 | $105,380 | $127,940 | 3,780 |
| Oregon | $82,580 | $105,250 | $135,870 | 4,890 |
| New Jersey | $82,270 | $104,660 | $134,270 | 6,900 |
| Nevada | $83,530 | $104,310 | $148,150 | 3,560 |
| New Mexico | $79,570 | $103,900 | $129,310 | 1,350 |
| District of Columbia | $82,120 | $103,880 | $130,720 | 1,650 |
| New York | $84,740 | $103,760 | $135,920 | 17,500 |
| Connecticut | $83,390 | $103,150 | $130,150 | 4,370 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) — Transportation Professional Certification Board, Inc.
- Fundamentals of Engineering - Civil (FE-CVL) — National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
- Principles and Practice of Engineering - Civil (PE-Civ) — National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
- Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE) — American Academy of Water Resources Engineers
- Certified Planning Engineer (CPE) — American Academy of Project Management
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
and 16 more
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against civil engineers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 17-2051.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.