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Job outlook for drainage engineers in the United States
Are drainage engineer jobs in demand?
Drainage engineer job and salary trends over time
Drainage engineer jobs over time
Drainage engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 347 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 343 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 354 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 349 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 341 | 0.00% |
Average drainage engineer salary over time
Drainage engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $80,313 | $38.61 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $78,944 | $37.95 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | $78,563 | $37.77 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $76,867 | $36.96 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | $75,752 | $36.42 | +1.6% |
Drainage engineer jobs by state
Most common states for drainage engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 216 | 31% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 83 | 9% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 710 | 8% |
| 4 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 485 | 7% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 404 | 7% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 396 | 7% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 291 | 7% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 55 | 7% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 59 | 6% |
| 10 | Vermont | 623,657 | 36 | 6% |
| 11 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,943 | 5% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 370 | 5% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 146 | 5% |
| 14 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 67 | 5% |
| 15 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 61 | 5% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 38 | 5% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 28 | 5% |
| 18 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 183 | 4% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 112 | 4% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 68 | 4% |
Most common cities for drainage engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copperas Cove | 1 | 3% | $75,876 |
| 2 | Tampa | 3 | 1% | $69,816 |
| 3 | Ontario | 2 | 1% | $79,765 |
| 4 | Orlando | 2 | 1% | $69,884 |
| 5 | Pasadena | 2 | 1% | $79,879 |
| 6 | Tempe | 2 | 1% | $72,619 |
| 7 | Clearwater | 1 | 1% | $69,903 |
| 8 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $62,161 |
| 9 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $70,761 |
| 10 | Miami | 2 | 0% | $67,349 |
| 11 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $72,666 |
| 12 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $79,367 |
| 13 | Tucson | 2 | 0% | $72,216 |
| 14 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $67,758 |
| 15 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $60,576 |
| 16 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $88,756 |
| 17 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $61,707 |
| 18 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $79,696 |
| 19 | Minneapolis | 1 | 0% | $76,957 |
Drainage Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of drainage engineer experts
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Northeastern University
University of New Mexico
Ohio University
University of Texas at Tyler
North Dakota State University
Rockhurst University
University of Miami
George Fox University
Xavier University
Pace University
Alabama A&M University
East Tennessee State University
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Boise State University
University of Houston/Clear Lake
What general advice would you give to a Drainage Engineer?
Xiaowei Shi Ph.D.: Start by focusing on building a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of civil engineering. It’s crucial to stay curious and continuously learn, as the field is constantly evolving with new technologies and methodologies. Develop strong problem-solving skills and learn to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams since civil projects often require collaboration across different fields. Networking is key—attend industry conferences, join professional organizations, and connect with peers and experts in the field. Finally, be proactive in seeking opportunities that align with your interests and skills, whether in academia, government, or the private sector.
What general advice would you give to a Drainage 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 Drainage 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.
What will help Drainage Engineers increase their earning potential?
Simeng Li Ph.D.: I believe the ability to analyze large datasets and utilize AI for predicative modeling, optimization, and decision-making will be increasingly important. The field of civil engineering is continuously evolving, which also requires all of us stay curious and committed to learning new technologies and adapt to changing conditions. As sustainability becomes more critical, knowledge of green building practices, sustainable materials, and environmental impact assessments will also be vital. Civil engineers will need to integrate sustainable solutions into their projects to meet regulatory standards and societal expectations.
Serena Alexander Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Environmental Policy and EngineeringNortheastern University
Civil Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Drainage 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 Drainage 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 will help Drainage Engineers increase their earning potential?
Serena Alexander Ph.D.: Get your PE license, continue educating yourself about the new and innovative tools and techniques in your field, learn how to lead a team and deliver a project efficiently and effectively, and always negotiate. Never forget why you became an engineer in the first place; I doubt the salary was the main motivation. Most people become an engineer because they want to solve big problems. Strive to be the best problem-solver in your sub-field and your salary will increase to match your abilities and potentials.
What general advice would you give to a Drainage 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 Drainage Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Susan Halter PhD, PE, F.ASCE: Civil engineers like knowing that they are helping society by solving critical problems and providing safe, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure.
What will help Drainage 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 a Drainage 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 Drainage 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 Drainage 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 general advice would you give to a Drainage Engineer?
Dr. Mena Souliman Ph.D., P.E., F.IRF.: Civil engineering is a solid profession to enter for several reasons. First, there's a growing demand for infrastructure development globally, which creates job opportunities. Second, civil engineering offers a diverse range of career paths, from transportation to environmental engineering, providing flexibility and options for specialization. Additionally, advancements in technology are reshaping the field, offering opportunities for innovation and problem-solving. Lastly, civil engineers play a crucial role in addressing pressing issues like sustainability and resilience, making it a meaningful career choice for those who want to make a positive impact on society and the environment.
What will help Drainage 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 general advice would you give to a Drainage Engineer?
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 Drainage 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 Drainage Engineers increase their earning potential?
Mijia Yang: Attached please find my answers to the questions you asked. Hope they could benefit these students who want to purse the Civil Engineering field.
What Drainage Engineer 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 Drainage Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Joseph Reichenberger PE [CA AZ HI NM NV], BCEE, F.ASCE: Infrastructure is on the minds of governments and funding agencies have supported
infrastructure. The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed in November 2021,
authorized $1.2 trillion dollars for a variety of infrastructure projects.
From: https://home.treasury.gov/news/featured-stories/infrastructure-investment-in-the-united-states
Civil engineers are involved in most if not all of these types of projects. So the job market for
civil engineers for the near term is excellent.
Afifa Mushtaque in an article published 03102024 entitled "20 Highest Paying Countries for Civil
Engineers" https://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/20-highest-paying-countries-for-civil-engineers-
1271941/, stated the global civil engineering market is looking for major growth as $13.7 trillion
dollars is expected by 2030 and forecasts a compound annual growth rate of nearly 6% from
2023 to 2030.
Civil engineering has generally always been a good field for jobs. Civil engineering jobs tend to
follow the housing market so it is not all roses. There was a significant reduction in employment
for civil engineers, along with many others in the early 1980s and recently in the recession in
2010 or so. But the recovery has been substantial and continuing as stated above.
We are blessed with an influx of well prepared, young graduates with skills in the latest
technology replacing retiring civil engineers. Our typical class here at Loyola Marymount
University (LMU) typically has 30 to 40% women. It is a great profession for women and work
force is quite diverse.
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 Drainage Engineer?
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 Drainage Engineers 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 general advice would you give to a Drainage Engineer?
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 Drainage 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 Drainage 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.
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer
Professor and ChairXavier University
Department Of Physics
What skills stand out on Drainage Engineer resumes?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Programming languages, numerical design and simulation tools, knowledge of various measurement equipment.
What soft skills should all Drainage Engineers possess?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Communication, teamwork.
What skills will help Drainage Engineers earn the most?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Problem-solving, troubleshooting, independent learner.
James Albrecht
Professor of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security, retired NYPD Captain/Commanding OfficerPace University
Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Drainage Engineers?
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.
Pooja Preetha Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorAlabama A&M University
Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering
What skills stand out on Drainage Engineer resumes?
Pooja Preetha Ph.D.: According to my previous experiences, they are a combination of soft skills like creative thinking, problem-solving and hard skills like strong math and project management with the knowledge of tools like AutoCAD and GIS.
What soft skills should all Drainage Engineers possess?
Pooja Preetha Ph.D.: I would say communication skills, creativity, the ability to mold yourself and work under pressure, keeping the cool at any condition, a few leadership initiatives, and being fast-paced.
Jared Wilson
Assistant Professor and Faculty CoordinatorEast Tennessee State University
Surveying and Mapping
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Drainage Engineers to find work opportunities?
Jared Wilson: Within the field of land surveying and related employment opportunities, work is available. However, in my experience, work may not be in the exact location a person wishes to live. So, a move may be necessary, or potentially traveling to where the work is located. Should a graduate, or person for that matter, want to work, work is available.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Drainage Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Panos Prevedouros Ph.D.: Most jobs will be in engineering disciplines needed for infrastructure maintenance, upgrade, and replacement. Also, a lot of new developments have been deferred by the pandemic, so if there is no surprise in the lending rates, development will grow and possibly skyrocket in 2022 and beyond.
Engineering disciplines related to transit will shrink. Transit has lost about 80 percent of its riders and is unlikely to regain many of them for reasons such as depleted municipal budgets, people's desire to avoid dense crowds even after the pandemic ends, and robocars presence in five to ten years.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Drainage Engineers?
Shannon Bartelt-Hunt Ph.D.: Students graduating now must demonstrate more flexibility and adaptability than ever before. Some summer internships were postponed or canceled, providing less training opportunities. For civil engineering, we don't foresee a long term impact on job placement for our graduates. The pandemic highlights how public health and infrastructure are related, and we anticipate more infrastructure-focused jobs being created in the future.
What type of skills will young Drainage Engineers 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.
What experience really stands out on Drainage Engineer resumes?
Shannon Bartelt-Hunt Ph.D.: Experiences that stand out on resumes are things that showcase their expertise and potential to demonstrate leadership. This can be through internships, extracurricular activities, or research. It's essential to show impacts - what you accomplished through your actions.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Drainage Engineers?
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 Drainage Engineers 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 Drainage Engineer 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.
What type of skills will young Drainage Engineers need?
Dr. Thomas L. Harman: Besides the obvious skills of being able to apply engineering principles and appropriate mathematics or design techniques to the solution of real-world problems, a young graduate today must remain aware of the rapid changes taking place in many engineering disciplines.
Adaptability is a vital skill for today's engineer as the technology in so many areas is changing fast. The need for "Lifelong Learning" definitely applies to our engineering students today.
As one example, in robotics, the use of Machine Learning techniques is being applied to self-driving cars, as well as many problems that require the perception of a situation, analysis, and then action. The combination of hardware and software necessary for these applications is becoming more available. It is not clear which future techniques will succeed on a large scale, but students need to be aware of the rapid changes occurring in Computer Science and Computer Engineering.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Drainage Engineers 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.