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Civil Engineers


Overview

Introduction

Civil engineering involves theoretical knowledge applied to the practical planning of the layout of our cities, towns, and other communities. It is concerned with modifying the natural environment and building new environments to better the lifestyles of the general public. Civil engineers are involved in the design and construction of the physical structures that make up our surroundings, such as roads, bridges, buildings, and harbors. They are also known as structural engineers. There are approximately 326,80...

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$86,640

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Employment Prospects

Good

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Minimum Education Level

Bachelor's Degree


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Experience

Internship or co-op


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Skills

Interpersonal
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Personality Traits

Curious
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Earnings

Civil engineers are among the lowest paid in the engineering field; however, their salaries are high when compared to those of many other occupations. The median annual earnings for civil engineers were $86,640 in 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The lowest paid 10 percent made less than $54,780 per year, and, at the other end of the pay scale, 10 percent earned more than $142,5...

Work Environment

Many civil engineers work regular 40-hour weeks, often in or near major industrial and commercial areas. Sometimes they are assigned to work in remote areas and foreign countries, especially in developing areas such as China. Because of the diversity of civil engineering positions, working conditions vary widely. Offices, labs, factories, and actual sites are typical environments for engineers....

Outlook

Employment opportunities for civil engineers are projected to increase by 6 percent (about as fast as the average for all careers) from 2018 to 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers issues a Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. The Report Card assigns letter grades based on the physical condition and necessary inve...