The short version: Civil engineers plan, design, and oversee the construction and upkeep of the things a community runs on: roads, bridges, tunnels, buildings, airports, and water and sewer systems. They earned a median of $100,840 in May 2025, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 22,700 openings a year through 2035.
Civil engineers are some of the hardest people for our clients to hire, especially licensed ones. Here is what the job actually involves.
What civil engineers do day to day
According to BLS, civil engineers typically:
- Review plans, survey data, maps, and other information to plan projects
- Prepare cost estimates for materials, equipment, and labor
- Design systems and structures using design software, such as Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and structural analysis programs
- Submit permit applications to local, state, and federal agencies
- Oversee surveying to set reference points, grades, and elevations
- Manage the construction, repair, and replacement of public and private infrastructure
Most civil engineers split time between an office and job sites. Early in their careers they do more design and calculation work. Later they manage projects, clients, budgets, and other engineers.
Civil engineering specialties
- Structural engineers design bridges, buildings, and other structures to carry loads safely. See is structural engineering a good career.
- Geotechnical engineers study soil and rock to design foundations, tunnels, slopes, and retaining walls.
- Transportation engineers plan and design highways, airports, transit, and traffic systems.
- Construction engineers manage how projects get built, including schedules, safety, and site work.
- Water resources engineers design stormwater, drainage, flood control, and water supply systems.
- Land development engineers lay out sites for homes, retail, industrial parks, and data centers, including grading, utilities, and permitting.
Where civil engineers work
Civil engineers held about 380,600 jobs in 2025. The largest employers, according to BLS:
| Employer type | Share of civil engineers |
|---|---|
| Engineering services firms | 51% |
| State government | 11% |
| Local government | 10% |
| Nonresidential building construction | 7% |
| Heavy and civil engineering construction | 3% |
Right now, data center campuses, new factories, and road and water projects are keeping demand high in the South. You can see where projects are on our US data center map and new factory construction map.
How much do civil engineers make?
The median annual wage for civil engineers was $100,840 in May 2025, according to BLS. Pay rises with experience, licensure, and project responsibility. Check pay for your city with our civil engineer salary calculator, and see is civil engineering a good career for more on pay growth and the PE premium.
How to become a civil engineer
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, ideally from an ABET-accredited program.
- Pass the FE exam near graduation to become an EIT. See our FE exam guide and EIT certification guide.
- Gain experience under a licensed PE, usually about four years.
- Pass the PE exam and apply for your state license. BLS notes that civil engineers who offer services directly to the public usually must be licensed. Our PE license guide covers the steps.
Skills that get civil engineers hired
- Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and a structural or hydraulic modeling tool used in your specialty
- Knowledge of local codes, DOT standards, and permitting
- Plan reading and clear technical writing
- Project management and client communication as you move up
Frequently asked questions
Do civil engineers need a license?
Not at entry level, according to BLS. Engineers who provide services directly to the public, sign plans, or lead public projects usually need a PE license.
What is the job outlook for civil engineers?
BLS projects employment to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 22,700 openings each year.
Is civil engineering the same as structural engineering?
Structural engineering is a specialty within civil engineering. All structural engineers studied civil or structural engineering, but most civil engineers do not design structures. See all branches in our guide to the types of engineering.
Looking for civil engineering work? Browse our open jobs. Hiring civil engineers? Talk to our civil engineering recruiters.
