High Paying Jobs with a Civil Engineering Degree

Last Updated on January 15, 2023

Civil engineers help design and build the facilities where we live our lives. From buildings that house America’s businesses and largest retailers to bridges, tunnels, and dams, civil engineers make them all happen. Civil engineers are hired by government agencies, construction companies, architectural firms, and utility companies including electrical, water, and gas utilities.

Are you looking for a rewarding, challenging career with a good salary? If you’re ready to build something great, consider a Civil Engineering degree. Civil Engineers are involved in all parts of the exciting field of construction. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median income for a Civil Engineer is more than $70,000 per year.

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alternative careers for civil engineers

Civil engineering is a vast field with many fields and subfields, which results in there being many high paying civil engineering careers. We can see and reap the benefits of civil engineering in almost every place we visit or see, whether we’re walking down roads, crossing bridges, entering buildings or drinking from a public water system. Civil engineers design, operate, build, supervise, and maintain infrastructure projects and systems for both the private and public sector. They also design the software needed for many of the projects, manage costs and handles the necessary repairs. Within the main field lies may high paying civil engineering careers.

types of civil engineering jobs

  • Material Science Engineering
  • Earthquake Engineering
  • Coastal Engineering
  • Project Engineer
  • Structural Engineering

1. Material Science Engineering

Material science engineering, also known as material science and engineering, is an engineering field that studies the basic characteristics of materials like concrete, thermosetting polymers, ceramics, asphalt, steel, aluminum, carbon fibers and similar heavy metals. Material science engineering also involves the prevention and protection of material properties and methods of combining two or more metals to produce a different metal with good properties. Graduates of material science engineering programs may find work as materials engineers, design engineers, metallurgists, research scientists, process development scientists and technical sales engineers.

2. Earthquake Engineering

Earthquake engineering, another high paying civil engineering career, focuses on designing structures strong enough to withstand damage from hazardous incidents. Earthquake engineers study what components are used in certain structures built on unstable land, and they try to determine what effect earthquakes would have on those structures. They’re typically the workers responsible for the construction, design, and maintenance of structures. Earthquake engineers may work as geotechnical engineers, property claims adjusters, physical science technicians, chief engineers and structural engineers.

3. Coastal Engineering

Coastal engineering is a field of civil engineering that deals with managing coastal areas as well as providing defense and protection against flooding and erosion that occurs from the floods. Like most engineers who solve problems, coastal engineers work on problems and help solve problems with the oceans and coastline. With more and more people moving and building on the coastline, coastal engineers are very much in demand to keep the coastlines clear and safe from erosion. Jobs for coastal engineers include coastal marine engineer, marine structures engineer, structural engineer and civil engineer.

4. Project Engineering

Project Engineering is a field of engineering involving the design and development of products used for various purposes and needs. They work on the project from the beginning to the finished project. They provide technical leadership, assist with project maintenance and development, track construction progress, and collaborate with other engineers on the final project. The project engineer is the one who prepares, reviews and submits the proposals for each project.

5. Structural Engineering

Structural engineers can almost be considered the backbone of any structure built today because they’re involved in almost every step of the development process of a structure or building from inception to the finished product. They work with various professional people, collaborating on the design, testing and building processes. Structural engineers also perform analyses and tests throughout the building process to determine the structure’s durability and may offer feedback and recommendations when necessary.

Civil engineering is a growing field and one that’s predicted to see an 11 percent increase in jobs by 2026 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). U.S. News & World Report ranks civil engineering No. 2 in Best Engineering Jobs; No. 9 in Best STEM Jobs and No. 39 in 100 Best Jobs. Civil engineers earned wages ranging from $53,470 to $132,880, according to a May 2017 report by the bureau. Earning a degree can open many doors for workers and help them find many high paying civil engineering careers.

If you’re considering a career in civil engineering, you’re in good company. Civil engineering is the largest engineering discipline, employing more than 303,500 Americans, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS expects another 32,200 new jobs expected to open up over the course of a decade. As important as job outlook is, earning potential also matters. It’s important for aspiring civil engineers to have an idea of what salary to expect as well as how factors such as industry, position and specialization will affect their value in the workforce.

highest paying civil engineering jobs uK

1.  Engineering Project Managers

  • Average Salary: $80,212 – $166,848
  • Annual Provincial Median Salary (BC): $122,622
  • Education: A civil engineering diploma or degree is required.
  • Job Description: An engineering project manager plans, directs, organizes projects, including preparing proposals, maintaining financial records, product strategy and ensures the project conforms with safety regulations.

2. Senior Civil Engineer

Average Salary: $81,000 – $139,000
Annual Provincial Median Salary (BC): $93,650
Education: A bachelor’s degree or civil engineering diploma with related experience is required.
Job Description: A civil engineer plans, designs, develops and manages projects to construct or repair buildings, bridges, highways, and other structures.

3. Engineering Managers

  • Average Salary: $80,212 – $166,848
  • Annual Provincial Median Salary (BC): $122,622
  • Education: A civil engineering diploma or degree is required.
  • Job Description: An engineering manager plans, directs, organizes, controls and evaluates the activities of the engineering department, project or firm.

4. Civil Engineer

  • Average Salary: $66,000 – $95,000
  • Annual Provincial Median Salary (BC): $92,246
  • Education: A bachelor’s degree or civil engineering diploma with related experience is required.
  • Job Description: A civil engineer plans, designs, develops and manages projects to construct or repair buildings, bridges, highways, and other structures.

5.  Architect

  • Average Salary: $58 – $93,852
  • Annual Provincial Median Salary (BC): $65,175
  • Education: Post secondary education required. A bachelors degree or a diploma from a vocational school is preferred, as well as an internship.
  • Job Description: An architect conceptualizes plans and creates designs to construct and renovate commercial, institutional and residential buildings.

6. Engineering Inspectors and Regulatory Officers

  • Average Salary: $58,042 – $123,530
  • Annual Provincial Median Salary (BC): $88,325
  • Education: A civil engineering diploma or degree is required.
  • Job Description: Engineering inspectors inspect transportation vehicles, weighing meters, industrial instruments, processes and equipment to ensure they comply with government and industry regulations.

7. Civil Engineering Drafter

Average Salary: $46,000 – $71,000
Annual Provincial Median Salary (BC): $50,054
Education: A civil engineering diploma or degree is required.
Job Description: Civil drafting technologists and technicians prepare engineering designs and related technical information.

8.  Civil Engineering Technologist

  • Average Salary: $43,797 – $155,085
  • Annual Provincial Median Salary (BC): $79,253
  • Education: A civil engineering diploma or degree is required.
  • Job Description: 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 labour, conduct field surveys and inspections, of all types of construction buildings and structures.

9. Civil Engineering Technician

  • Average Salary: $43,797 – $155,085
  • Annual Provincial Median Salary (BC): $79,253
  • Education: A civil engineering diploma or degree is required.
  • Job Description: A civil engineering technician assists in developing engineering drawings and specifications and performs other technical duties pertaining to civil engineering.
Responsibilities of a Good Civil Engineer

10. Land Surveyor

  • Average Salary: $28,885 – $80,295
  • Annual Provincial Median Salary (BC): $58,397
  • Education: A civil engineering diploma or degree is required.
  • Job Description: Land surveyors plan, direct and conduct legal surveys in order to create and/or determine property boundaries, contours and prepare for drawings, plans, records and official documents.

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