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Job outlook for civil engineering technicians in the United States
Are civil engineering technician jobs in demand?
Civil engineering technician job and salary trends over time
Civil engineering technician jobs over time
Civil engineering technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,678 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,759 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,801 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,861 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,868 | 0.00% |
Average civil engineering technician salary over time
Civil engineering technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $53,829 | $25.88 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $53,162 | $25.56 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $52,336 | $25.16 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $51,381 | $24.70 | +3.3% |
| 2021 | $49,748 | $23.92 | +1.5% |
Civil engineering technician jobs by state
Most common states for civil engineering technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 286 | 41% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 226 | 31% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 256 | 27% |
| 4 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 344 | 26% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,704 | 25% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 191 | 25% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 250 | 24% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 943 | 23% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 308 | 23% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,212 | 22% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 686 | 22% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 230 | 22% |
| 13 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,754 | 21% |
| 14 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 122 | 21% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,113 | 20% |
| 16 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 625 | 20% |
| 17 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 383 | 20% |
| 18 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,443 | 19% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 687 | 19% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 166 | 19% |
Most common cities for civil engineering technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 3 | 8% | $60,322 |
| 2 | Frankfort | 2 | 7% | $47,740 |
| 3 | Bangor | 2 | 6% | $54,756 |
| 4 | Juneau | 2 | 6% | $67,011 |
| 5 | Lansing | 4 | 3% | $57,082 |
| 6 | Hartford | 2 | 2% | $64,542 |
| 7 | Springfield | 2 | 2% | $59,098 |
| 8 | Topeka | 2 | 2% | $48,166 |
| 9 | Saint Paul | 4 | 1% | $64,001 |
| 10 | Baton Rouge | 3 | 1% | $55,887 |
| 11 | Des Moines | 3 | 1% | $66,159 |
| 12 | Little Rock | 2 | 1% | $48,035 |
| 13 | Montgomery | 2 | 1% | $50,128 |
| 14 | Tallahassee | 2 | 1% | $44,546 |
| 15 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $69,391 |
| 16 | Indianapolis | 3 | 0% | $48,515 |
| 17 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $48,218 |
| 18 | Sacramento | 2 | 0% | $74,424 |
Civil Engineering Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of civil engineering technician experts
Ohio University
University of Texas at Tyler
North Dakota State University
Rockhurst University
Clemson University
Michigan Technological University
University of Miami
George Fox University
Pace University
Alabama A&M University
Clemson University
Columbia University in the City of New York
Oregon State University
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Boise State University
University of Houston/Clear Lake
Northeastern University
What general advice would you give to a Civil Engineering Technician?
Kishor Shrestha Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, LEED Green Assoc.: Construction engineering is a promising profession to enter now due to various factors. There is a growing demand for public infrastructure projects globally, leading to increased opportunities. Advanced technology like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and sustainable construction practices are transforming and creating new professions. This career offers competitive salaries and the chance to work on diverse projects, making it an attractive choice.
What will help Civil Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
Kishor Shrestha Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, LEED Green Assoc.: A construction engineer is usually responsible for managing multiple facets of a construction project, such as estimating, scheduling, and supervision. Every day, they may check project blueprints, work with contractors/ subcontractors, visit the site, fix technical problems, and assure that works are done safely, promptly, and within the allotted budget.
What Civil Engineering Technician 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 Civil Engineering Technicians 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 will help Civil Engineering Technicians 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 general advice would you give to a Civil Engineering Technician?
Mijia Yang: Sure, I can answer the questions you might have. Please send them my way and I will try to answer them the best I can.
What general advice would you give to a Civil Engineering Technician?
John Kevern Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, FACI, LEED AP: Strive to find a mentor(s) both within your company and outside of your company whose career path you would like to emulate. Become involved in a related professional organization. The American Society of Civil Engineering has professional chapters and younger member groups within the chapter. Participating in these groups helps to build a professional network and find mentors.
What Civil Engineering Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Kevern Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, FACI, LEED AP: Communicating effectively both written and verbally is and always is hugely important. This includes the ability to utilize AI successfully to write and check documents as a tool but not as a crutch.
What will help Civil Engineering Technicians 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.
What Civil Engineering Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dhaval Gajjar: Workforce is a huge challenge in the industry. The position pays well with good benefits. Diverse job functions and can specialize in a specific field.
What will help Civil Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
Dhaval Gajjar: Like – Challenging, diverse, impact in the community, working with different types of people, can use any STEM related skills Dislike – Sometimes long hours to finish projects.
What will help Civil Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
Dwight Beadle: As a recent graduate, a new hire should 'seek first to understand then to be understood' (Stephen Covey). Graduates should go into their new job trying to soak up as much real-world knowledge as possible and ask a lot of questions. They should be good communicators. They should think ahead and go through processes before acting. When they encounter a problem, they should not be afraid to ask for help, but do so after having thought through a possible solution.
What general advice would you give to a Civil Engineering Technician?
John Irwin EdD: Engineering technology graduates are masters of technology, gaining a broad and deep understanding of the processes, systems, tools, and techniques necessary to construct, modify, operate, and maintain an engineering design. They act as technological integrators, bridging the gap between the skilled trades and engineering fundamentals. This is a great career path for those who enjoy engineering concepts but would rather spend time working with their hands solving specific technical issues than tackling broader, more complex design challenges.
Esber Andiroglu PhD, PE, LEED AP
Associate Professor of Practice, Dept. of Civil & Architectural Engineering, Director of Construction Management ProgramsUniversity of Miami
Architectural Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Civil Engineering Technician?
Esber Andiroglu PhD, PE, LEED AP: Interdisciplinary and transformative design and construction approaches; integration of emerging technological innovations into practice; integration of software tools into everyday problem solving; solid knowledge about smart systems and AI applications; good understanding and ability to use data analytics
Ben Giudice Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Civil EngineeringGeorge Fox University
Department of Mechanical, Civil, and Biomedical Engineering
What soft skills should all Civil Engineering Technicians possess?
Ben Giudice Ph.D.: Soft skills are vital in civil engineering, and the ones that are most important at the early stages of people's careers include both written and oral communication. Writing memos and reports, emails, talking to people in the field or on the phone - all of these are incredibly important to civil engineering.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Civil Engineering Technicians?
Ben Giudice Ph.D.: Specific technical skills that are important will vary widely by what the employer is looking for. Civil engineering is an incredibly broad field with many specialties and subspecialties. Having technical skills like specific software capabilities in the area of civil engineering one is proposing to enter is definitely a plus. Moreso than specific technical skills, it is important to highlight any kind of project work that has been completed, whether those be major projects as part of the coursework, a senior capstone project, or extracurricular projects of relevance that have been completed.
What general advice would you give to a Civil Engineering Technician?
Ben Giudice Ph.D.: Civil engineers collect and organize data - this could be traffic counts, survey data including elevations, distances, and locations of natural and manmade objects, water quality data, soil characteristics, historical precipitation data - then use that data to design infrastructure or improvements to existing infrastructure to improve public safety, public health, support the economy, provide housing, and so forth. This design can be in the form of performing calculations, developing spreadsheets, developing CAD drawings, using modeling software, and following established codes and standards. Sometimes experiments or pilot projects and studies are designed and conducted. During construction, engineers ensure that the construction is following their specifications. Entry-level civil engineers often work on drawings, data collection and compilation, construction inspection, and in general support more experienced engineers with whatever they need assistance with. As they grow in experience, they take more responsibility in leading projects including the decision making and design.
What Civil Engineering Technician 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 Civil Engineering Technicians 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.
James Albrecht
Professor of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security, retired NYPD Captain/Commanding OfficerPace University
Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Department
What soft skills should all Civil Engineering Technicians possess?
James Albrecht: Never underestimate having effective "people skills." You must be able to listen, communicate and express yourself in a competent and empathetic manner. Asking questions for more specific insight into project objectives and posing your own questions that delineate target hardening options to clients and potential customers will add the necessary human touch, not only to the field of civil engineering but to any profession.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Civil Engineering Technicians?
James Albrecht: There are basic phenomena that all civil engineers have to understand and fully comprehend. These are the skills that you will learn in detail in books in college or at your training site. But a top-tier civil engineer must not only be acutely familiar with the project objectives but also must be exceptionally aware of the environment in which the building or structure has been or will be placed. As such, one must be cognizant of potential hazards posed by climate or people. There may be expressed concerns or mandates about building in hurricane, tornado or flooding prone areas, but a civil engineer must take into consideration population density, proximity to a high-value person, structure, or historic site (e.g., City Hall, electric company, Liberty Bell, etc.), and potential for mass casualty or extreme damage if attacked by radical elements or rioters. Unfortunately, this is the world that we live in today.
What skills will help Civil Engineering Technicians earn the most?
James Albrecht: Clearly possessing a thorough and exceptional understanding of the basic skills needed in civil engineering is extremely critical. In addition, by expressing concerns or describing options for target hardening, you will also show your client that you have their safety and welfare in mind. Conducting a historical assessment of weather, sensational incidents, area crime rate, population density, and peak daily usage, and combining that with an evaluation of nearby sites that may be appealing to tourists or that routinely draw large crowds, e.g., nearby subway or bus station, should cause a client to be impressed with your comprehensive understanding and analysis of project-related issues. Undoubtedly, any "people skills" you can bring to the table that highlights your empathetic nature will surely inspire a customer or potential client.
Pooja Preetha Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorAlabama A&M University
Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering
What hard/technical skills are most important for Civil Engineering Technicians?
Pooja Preetha Ph.D.: Hard skills serve as the most important, in my opinion. If you are technically sound, have reasonable computer skills and good Microsoft office suite adaptability, and have strong presentation skills, you should be able to make it.
What skills will help Civil Engineering Technicians earn the most?
Pooja Preetha Ph.D.: Good decision making and identify the specific path/job that boosts your earning curve noticeably is the main thing to look at. Besides, good technical training, writing, and added accolades always catalyze the chances to get promoted sooner and earn more.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Civil Engineering Technician job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Wayne Sarasua: Civil engineering is very broad with a number of different disciplines. Some disciplines have almost been business as usual during the pandemic because they are essential for maintaining public health and safety. An example are civil engineers who work in public works. At the same time, many civil engineering firms have gone nearly entirely virtual during the pandemic. This has made it challenging for many firms to take on new graduates and provide proper training. I heard a number of stories of how the pandemic delayed, or even negated recent civil engineering graduate hiring. But the demand for civil engineers is higher than ever. Further, there will likely be a boom in construction activities to help stimulate the economy. This all starts with civil engineers. I do foresee a lot more virtual meetings (and interviews) in the future even after the pandemic is over. But the job market appears to be good right now and should get even better by the end of the summer as civil engineering firm operations return to normal.
What soft skills should all Civil Engineering Technicians possess?
Dr. Wayne Sarasua: Communication skills are paramount. There is a trend in civil engineering education to better integrate written and oral communication into curriculums. There are many stakeholders related to civil engineering projects. These stakeholders vary from city officials who approve and oversee projects, to contractors, to future users, to nearby residents, etc. Being able to effectively communicate with stakeholders is very important for personal advancement. Another soft skill is the ability to work in teams. Civil engineering projects are usually pretty big and require a great deal of team work during the engineering process. Hopefully, graduates had numerous opportunities during their undergraduate studies to work on team projects. I also need to mention leadership skills. Graduates should understand what it takes to be an effective leader. And they should practice these skills. They should also know how to role play.
How have salaries changed over time for Civil Engineering Technicians?
Dr. Wayne Sarasua: A good source for salary information is the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) website. Median salaries for civil engineers have trended in the right direction as far back as I can remember and historic data supports this. Salaries are typically a bit higher in the private sector than the public sector. But recent graduates should be weary of focusing on trying to get the highest entry level salary possible. I'm a strong believer of "money can't buy happiness." In the private sector, the higher your salary, the higher your billing rate. Thus, if you make $30 an hour to start, you may be billed to a client at a rate of $100 an hour. Your productivity needs to cover your billing. Thus, you will be under less pressure the less you make. Something to think about when you are just starting out.
George Deodatis
ProfessorColumbia University in the City of New York
Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
What's a day at work look like for a Civil Engineering Technician?
George Deodatis: In the short term, there is going to be significant remote work done with limited time spent in the office. But long term, hopefully, the amount spent in the office close to senior colleagues will go back close to pre-pandemic levels. This is important for the mentoring process of entry-level engineers and cannot be fully duplicated remotely.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Civil Engineering Technicians?
David Blunck Ph.D.: I certainly expect that there to be an enduring impact, for better and worse. I hope that graduates will be better equipped to use technology in communicating and working in teams. I expect graduates to be more resilient and be more adept at working remotely and using engineering tools. This will ultimately enable more distributed teams of engineers to work together across the globe. I also see the pandemic as helping more virtual learning opportunities for graduates (e.g., certificates) and future engineering students (e.g., more online degrees). For worse, I worry that students may not gain hands-on experience that can help design and build products. Moreover, recent graduates may not be as experienced in conducting experiments or collecting data.
What type of skills will young Civil Engineering Technicians need?
Shannon Bartelt-Hunt Ph.D.: Skills that are always needed for civil engineering graduates are communication and teamwork. Demand for civil engineers to work as part of interdisciplinary teams to solve our global infrastructure challenges will require excellent technical skills and a team player, and a good communicator.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Civil Engineering Technicians?
Dr. Bret Lingwall Ph.D.: No. The pandemic was timed with a recession, creating a low market for new graduates right now. However, like all economic downturns, the pandemic will pass, and the private sector will recover. The good news for civil engineers is that the public sector is broadly poised to continue making significant infrastructure investments. This means that the jobs market will be resilient in civil engineering. When you take the long view, difficult times happen every decade or so. The market always recovers and graduates continuously adapt. You have to think of the pandemic as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
What type of skills will young Civil Engineering Technicians need?
Nick Hudyma PhD PE: Civil engineering is a technical discipline that is founded in mathematics, physics, and the natural sciences. Technical skills have always been, and will continue to be, important. The coronavirus pandemic has shown us the importance of professional skills. Civil engineers must be able to communicate effectively, using a range of techniques to a wide variety of audiences.
In my opinion, visualization skills will begin to become very important. I can envision a coupled work environment, having technical analyses and designs working behind the scenes with visualizations being presented to clients. Civil engineers will need to present their work, not using traditional 2D blueprints and plan sets, but using 3D and 4D visualizations, which will include either virtual reality or augmented reality. This is especially important as our designs become more complex, and we continue in-fill development in dense urban areas.
What experience really stands out on Civil Engineering Technician resumes?
Nick Hudyma PhD PE: Internship and coop experiences have always stood out on resumes. I believe students should augment their resumes with a civil engineering portfolio. When students showcase their academic work, especially analysis and design projects, to potential employers, they will have a much more engaging conversation during their interviews.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Civil Engineering Technicians to find work opportunities?
Dr. Thomas L. Harman: Computer Engineering, which combines aspects of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, has been important in every advance in electronics technology over many decades. Examples include Personal Computers, the internet, the Internet of Things, and many medical applications and advances. Designing and maintaining these systems and products requires a thorough knowledge of modern hardware and software available to a designer.
Therefore, areas of the country with technical hubs for innovation are likely places for employment.
Link
Houston:
Top industries/employers: aeronautics, tourism, science, technology, medicine and healthcare, research, energy, renewable resources (wind, solar), manufacturing, transportation, education, oilfield equipment, entertainment and media, fashion, banking, real estate, distribution, and transportation.
Houston has manufacturing, medical, and space industries that rival any city in the U.S.
Houston, Austin, and Dallas/Fort Worth are cities in Texas.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Civil Engineering Technicians in the next 5 years?
Nik Brown Ph.D.: The AI revolution in the 2020s will have at least as large an impact as the Internet revolution did in the 1990s.