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Job outlook for assistant project engineers in the United States
Assistant project engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected assistant project engineer job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 22,100 new jobs for assistant project engineers are projected over the next decade.
Assistant project engineer salaries have increased 6% for assistant project engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 17,446 assistant project engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 32,602 active assistant project engineer job openings in the US.
The average assistant project engineer salary is $70,944.
Are assistant project engineer jobs in demand?
Assistant project engineer job and salary trends over time
Assistant project engineer jobs over time
Assistant project engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17,446 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 17,248 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 17,821 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 17,545 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 17,137 | 0.01% |
Average assistant project engineer salary over time
Assistant project engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $70,944 | $34.11 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $69,735 | $33.53 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | $69,398 | $33.36 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $67,900 | $32.64 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | $66,915 | $32.17 | +1.6% |
Assistant project engineer jobs by state
Most common states for assistant project engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 200 | 29% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 229 | 22% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 136 | 22% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 154 | 20% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 114 | 20% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,012 | 18% |
| 7 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 338 | 18% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 237 | 18% |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 184 | 17% |
| 10 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,673 | 16% |
| 11 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,628 | 16% |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 905 | 16% |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,773 | 14% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 453 | 14% |
| 15 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 181 | 14% |
| 16 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 3,609 | 13% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 371 | 13% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 278 | 13% |
| 19 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 225 | 13% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 114 | 13% |
Most common cities for assistant project engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Savannah | 1 | 1% | $70,561 |
| 2 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $73,884 |
| 3 | Montgomery | 1 | 0% | $63,643 |
| 4 | Saint Louis | 1 | 0% | $76,850 |
| 5 | Tacoma | 1 | 0% | $80,849 |
Assistant Project Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of assistant project engineer experts
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Northeastern University
University of New Mexico
Ohio University
University of Texas at Tyler
North Dakota State University
Rockhurst University
George Fox University
Weber State University
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Project Engineer?
Simeng Li Ph.D.: I would like to say the most important is to be proactive and take initiative in your work – show your enthusiasm and willingness to take on new challenges. Being proactive not only leads to opportunities for advancement, but also helps great mentors to notice you and makes them want to help you navigate through the complexities of the industry because your attitude reminds them of their younger selves. While improving your technical skills, keep polishing your soft skills for collaborating effectively at the present and leading projects in the near future.
What Assistant Project Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Simeng Li Ph.D.: Most of the time, your salary is positively correlated with the value you can create for your employer. Therefore, make yourself marketable by obtaining your PE license as soon as possible and getting other certifications in your specialized area whenever possible. Stay updated with industry trends and continuously improve your skills and build your reputation. Lastly but most importantly, be comfortable with negotiating your salary for your new position or promotion. Articulate your value based on your skills, education, and experience.
Serena Alexander Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Environmental Policy and EngineeringNortheastern University
Civil Engineering
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Project Engineer?
Serena Alexander Ph.D.: Be determined, patient, and resilient. Civil and environmental engineers often deal with projects that take time and persistent effort; unexpected obstacles might arise at any time. Your ability to deal with uncertainties and address challenges with determination is key to your success. You also must be patient—with your team, clients, contractors, governmental and community organizations. You cannot solve problems without critically listening to what all these players have to say about the project and its challenges. Lastly, if things do not go as planned, your ability to bounce back quickly and develop an effective, alternative plan is important.
What Assistant Project Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Serena Alexander Ph.D.: Civil and environmental engineering is a vast field requiring a diverse set of skills depending on the sub-field. It is important to stay up to date with the technical skills required for your sub-field. There are also common skills that are important for all civil and environmental engineers. For example, analytical thinking to break down complex problems into manageable parts, and solving these smaller problems without losing sight of the larger problem is essential. Visualization and communications skills to describe the problem and the solution to a diverse audience is another important skill. Also, project management and leadership skills are key to your long-term success and advancement.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Project Engineer?
Susan Halter PhD, PE, F.ASCE: Civil engineers can work in a variety of positions. Some civil engineers focus on designing solutions to solve some of our most critical problems, including providing clean drinking water and making sure our roads are safe for all users. Civil engineers who focus on design solutions typically work in collaborative groups with other engineers in an office setting. Civil engineers also work on making these designs a reality by managing complex construction projects. Civil engineers who focus on construction project management often work outside an office at the construction site. Civil engineers working in project management need good communication skills to work with the different partners on large, complex construction projects. Someone entering the field for the first time will typically work with a more experienced engineer on small aspects of larger projects. This could include small design tasks, visits to job sites, and answering requests for information from a construction project.
What will help Assistant Project Engineers increase their earning potential?
Susan Halter PhD, PE, F.ASCE: There is a critical need for infrastructure to address growth and to update older facilities. In addition, the U.S. government has committed significant funding for infrastructure improvement, which will require civil engineers to see it through.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Project Engineer?
Bhaven Naik PhD, PE, PTOE, RSP: Be prepared to keep learning! You can never stop learning. Also, keep your “doors” open to opportunities in new areas of work and also in new firms. Your first job/position should only be the beginning … stepping stone to the next! Learn to network with your peers and mentors through membership into various organizations (ASCE, ITE, etc.)
What Assistant Project Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Bhaven Naik PhD, PE, PTOE, RSP: Ability to analyze data … course in statistics will be very helpful. As well, the core classes in Civil Engineering are going to be very beneficial. As much as the new technology and all is quickly taking shape, there is going to be a need for the basics in the coming years.
What will help Assistant Project Engineers increase their earning potential?
Bhaven Naik PhD, PE, PTOE, RSP: By being proactive … researching the current job salaries – ASCE have a great site for doing that. By continuous learning … getting licensure (PE, PTOE etc.) and also a Master’s degree (Civil or MBA).
Dr. Mena Souliman Ph.D., P.E., F.IRF.
Ronald D. Brazzel Endowed Professor of Civil EngineeringUniversity of Texas at Tyler
Civil Engineering
What Assistant Project Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mena Souliman Ph.D., P.E., F.IRF.: Civil engineers handle a wide range of tasks daily, such as designing infrastructure, managing construction projects, analyzing data, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Someone entering the field might start with more hands-on work like site inspections, drafting plans, or assisting senior engineers in project management. Over time, they'll likely take on more responsibilities and eventually lead projects themselves.
What will help Assistant Project Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Mena Souliman Ph.D., P.E., F.IRF.: People often appreciate the variety of projects and the opportunity to solve real-world problems that come with being a civil engineer. Additionally, seeing tangible results, such as completed infrastructure projects, can be rewarding. However, challenges like dealing with bureaucratic processes, long hours during project deadlines, and the potential for work to be affected by external factors like weather or funding constraints can be sources of frustration. Overall, satisfaction in the field often depends on individual preferences and the specific work environment.
What Assistant Project Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mijia Yang: This is perfect! Thank you so much. We will be sure to feature your response in the article and send a draft over for your review before we promote it.
What will help Assistant Project Engineers increase their earning potential?
John Kevern Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, FACI, LEED AP: Have a good GPA (>3.0), had multiple internships, have significant leadership experience in related student organizations.
Ben Giudice Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Civil EngineeringGeorge Fox University
Department of Mechanical, Civil, and Biomedical Engineering
What Assistant Project Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ben Giudice Ph.D.: If you like working with people and serving your community, being a civil engineer can be very rewarding. You can also contribute to a healthier environment by developing more environmentally friendly designs. There is a wide variety of different kinds of work that civil engineers do, as it is a very broad discipline. Because of this, it is likely that something within civil engineering will excite and interest you. I haven't known anyone who was a civil engineer that disliked it! Compared with other engineering disciplines, the pay is not quite as high on average, but there are generally more opportunities available on a more consistent basis, and there are jobs available everywhere in the world nearly all the time.
What will help Assistant Project Engineers increase their earning potential?
Ben Giudice Ph.D.: There is a huge demand for civil engineers across the nation. All of the junior civil engineering students at George Fox University this year had internships for the summer lined up by the end of March. Every senior either had a job offer signed by the end of March, or had multiple offers they were still weighing. The need for civil engineers will never go away, as society will always need qualified civil engineers to support all aspects of civilization. You can also work nearly anywhere in the world, as practically wherever there are people, there is a need for civil engineering.
What will help Assistant Project Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. A. Tye Gardner Ph.D.: Getting a master's degree goes a long way to making candidates stand out and improving earnings. My recommendation is to tailor your MS degree to the specific field you're interested in working in, because employers really want to see candidates that are passionate about the field, and very few people survive a graduate degree without at least a little passion. Available salary data indicates that if you choose an affordable program (let's just say Weber State University), it takes only a few years to pay off the added cost, increases starting salaries, and dramatically improves long-term earning potential. Moreover, you can find electrical engineers with MBAs at C-level positions all over the country. It turns out being an EE makes you a good candidate for business leadership.