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What is a construction project engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Mike Sessions,
Brian Denton Ph.D.

If you meet the qualifications required for being a Construction Project Engineer, you must consider this as your profession because it promises wonders. To become one, you should be able to assist the Project Manager in making sure that the project is completed as scheduled and within the budget discussed.

You have to review projects, determine specifications, prepare project status, and manage the income with expenditure. You will also maintain the project database on the computer and contribute significantly to the team effort. You should have good computer skills, technical knowledge and should have CAD, CAD/CAM circuit designing skills (A huge plus).

You should possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Science of Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related fields and have at least five years of professional experience. An EIT certificate is mostly preferred, and the average package is $39.74 per hour.

What general advice would you give to a construction project engineer?

Mike SessionsMike Sessions LinkedIn profile

Department Chair & Professor, Brigham Young University - Idaho

We noted some of the commercial contractors pulled back on hiring last semester, but all of them seem poised to hire about a typical number of graduates this semester. We also noted last semester that residential contractors increased hiring. As such, there were more openings last semester for graduates in residential than in commercial construction. We have not seen this dynamic since the great recession. Obviously, if the virus persists, and there is no vaccine, the virus will impact the economy, which will impact construction.
ScoreConstruction Project EngineerUS Average
Salary
5.4

Avg. Salary $68,635

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.3

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 11.45%

Black or African American 4.12%

Hispanic or Latino 12.06%

Unknown 4.73%

White 67.33%

Gender

female 9.66%

male 90.34%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress level
7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Construction project engineer career paths

Key steps to become a construction project engineer

  1. Explore construction project engineer education requirements

    Most common construction project engineer degrees

    Bachelor's

    72.3 %

    Associate

    11.4 %

    Master's

    11.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific construction project engineer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Construction Management20.18%
    Project Management10.56%
    Construction Materials5.96%
    Construction Projects5.72%
    Shop Drawings4.00%
  3. Complete relevant construction project engineer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New construction project engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a construction project engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real construction project engineer resumes.
  4. Research construction project engineer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage roll-out and operation of new site CMMS system, ARCHIbus.
    • Ensure the quick responses from designers for RFI (s) for all project manage and oversee.
    • Facilitate coordination between MEP trades and manage finishes.
    • Manage QA activities and maintain up-to-date quality control system.
  5. Prepare your construction project engineer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your construction project engineer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a construction project engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable construction project engineer resume templates

    Build a professional construction project engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your construction project engineer resume.
    Construction Project Engineer Resume
    Construction Project Engineer Resume
    Construction Project Engineer Resume
    Construction Project Engineer Resume
    Construction Project Engineer Resume
    Construction Project Engineer Resume
    Construction Project Engineer Resume
    Construction Project Engineer Resume
    Construction Project Engineer Resume
  6. Apply for construction project engineer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a construction project engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first construction project engineer job

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Average construction project engineer salary

The average construction project engineer salary in the United States is $68,635 per year or $33 per hour. Construction project engineer salaries range between $53,000 and $87,000 per year.

Average construction project engineer salary
$68,635 Yearly
$33.00 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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