Civil Engineering Profession

Where Do Civil Engineers Work?

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Civil engineers are found throughout the workplace in a variety of functions.  Aside from private engineering firms that are responsible for contracted projects from start to finish, civil engineers work for utility companies, telecommunications businesses, consulting firms, and even toy and athletic equipment manufacturers.  There are a large number of civil engineers who work in federal, state and local governments, working each day to serve the public in thousands of projects nationwide.  Civil engineers also work in academic fields through teaching, research, evaluation and publishing, generating much of the newest information available today.

How Does Someone Become a Civil Engineer?

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A civil engineering career can begin as early as high school.  To meet the challenges of this field, a solid high school preparation should include courses in: English, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, advanced mathematics, chemistry, and physics.  Computer courses are also highly recommended.

civil cngineering programs are 4-year programs, culminating in a bachelor's degree. Many students opt to continue their studies, and earn a master's degree.

In their first job, most civil engineers are teamed with a senior engineer.  They are guided through a variety of assignments, depending on the civil engineering specialty area.  Later, job responsibility increases with continuing education and experience.  During this process many engineers seek professional licensure that requires a depth of knowledge and skills essential to success in the field.

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The civil engineering field is broad, with a variety of sub-specialties.  Civil engineers work in almost all aspects of engineering, but the main specialties include: construction engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering and water resources engineering.

What is Required to be Licensed as a Civil Engineer?

Engineering licensure is a prestigious step in professional growth and development.  Licensure is a way for engineers to demonstrate to their employer and clients their commitment to the profession.  Licensure is a four-step process. It requires graduation from an accredited Civil Engineering program, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, having four years of work experience, and passing the professional engineering examination.

Civil Engineering Employment Outlook

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, there were 256,000 Civil Engineers employed in the U.S. in 2006, by far the largest employment sector of any engineering field. The mean annual Civil Engineering (CE) salary was $75,230. The CE job market is expected to grow at a rate faster than the average for all occupations during the next decade. The CE job market is expected to experience 18 percent employment growth during the projections decade. Spurred by general population growth and the related need to improve the Nation's
infrastructure, more civil engineers will be needed to design and construct or expand transportation, water supply, and pollution control systems and buildings and building complexes. They also will be needed to repair or replace existing roads, bridges, and other public structures.  Because construction industries and architectural, engineering and related services employ many civil engineers, employment opportunities will vary by geographic area and may decrease during economic slowdowns, when
construction is often curtailed.