Career Prospects for Civil Engineers in USA

Engineering knowledge has increased through the years to where each of the fields needs high degree of specialization. These specialties need their own training. Civil Engineering is also one of the specializations in engineering which is a challenging field in its own way. Civil engineers design, construct, supervise, operate, and maintain large construction projects and systems, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment. Civil engineers generally work indoors in offices. However, many spend time outdoors at construction sites so they can monitor operations or solve problems onsite. Most work full time.

• Career Outlook:

Employment of civil engineers in USA is projected to grow 20 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. As infrastructure continues to age, civil engineers will be needed to manage projects to rebuild bridges, repair roads, and upgrade levees and dams.

• Career options:

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

Building control surveyor

Consulting civil engineer

Contracting civil engineer

Site engineer

Structural engineer

Water engineer

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

Building services engineer

Engineering geologist

Environmental consultant

Patent attorney

Quantity surveyor

Some more jobs for civil engineers in USA are mentioned below:

• Engineering Project Managers:

An engineering project manager plans, directs, organizes projects, including preparing proposals, maintaining financial records, and product strategy and ensures the project conforms to safety regulations.

• Senior Civil Engineer:

A civil engineer plans, designs, develops and manages projects to construct or repair buildings, bridges, highways, and other structures.

• Engineering Inspectors and Regulatory Officers:

Engineering inspectors inspect transportation vehicles, weighing meters, industrial instruments, processes and equipment to ensure they comply with government and industry regulations.

• Civil Engineering Technologist:

A civil engineering technologist develops engineering drawings and designs from concepts and sketches which have already been laid out. They also prepare construction specifications, estimates for the cost of materials and labor, conduct field surveys and inspections, of all types of construction buildings and structures.

• Civil Engineering Drafter:

Civil drafting technologists and technicians prepare engineering designs and related technical information.

• Salary Information:

Civil engineers in USA earned a median salary of $80,770 in 2013, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest-paid 10 percent in the profession made $126,190, while the lowest-paid earned $51,810 in 2013. According to the BLS, employment opportunities for civil engineers are on the upswing, with an expected increase of 24% in the ten year period of 2008 to 2018. As of 2010, the average pay for civil engineers was $82,280. If you are looking for a well-paying career with a secure future, there are few fields that offer as much potential as civil engineering. This is a growing field, where the challenges are increasing as mankind stretches the envelope of our existing materials science.

• Top Paying positions:

The most highly compensated positions are within the industries of oil and gas extraction, and the highest-paid positions are located in Midland, Texas; Hinesville, Georgia; and Houston.