Civil engineers are responsible for managing public works projects, guiding the construction of public infrastructure and working on private developments such as roads and bridges. In 2016, a civil engineer with a master’s degree earned an average annual salary of $85,032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
A job in the field of civil engineering offers many career opportunities. A civil engineer is a professional who designs buildings, bridges and roads. Civil engineers should have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an accredited program; some jobs may require a master’s degree. It is also helpful to have completed some course work in mathematics, physics and chemistry. However, it is not necessary to have taken these courses unless they are required by the employer.
A civil engineer with a master’s degree can expect to earn a median starting salary of $61,220 per year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), candidates for this position who have earned a master’s degree typically earn nearly $9,000 more than those who have only an undergraduate degree.
Starting Salary For Civil Engineer With Master’s Degree Overview
Civil engineers are in high demand right now, and that means you can be pretty selective when it comes to the companies you work for. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few things you should keep in mind as you start your job search.
First, make sure you’re looking at jobs with companies that offer benefits. This includes health insurance, vision care, dental insurance, and life insurance. This can make a huge difference in terms of your overall take-home pay. If the company doesn’t offer these kinds of benefits, then start looking elsewhere!
Second, think about where you want to work. Do you want to work for a large corporation or a smaller business? If you’re not sure what kind of job would suit you best (or if you haven’t thought about it before), why not ask some friends who work in similar fields what they like about their jobs? You could also ask them if they’d recommend any employers or positions that might be good for someone just starting out in this field!
Civil Engineer Job Description
Civil engineers work in a variety of industries to ensure that construction projects will function as designed while meeting all safety standards and regulations. According to CareerBuilder, they may be responsible for any of a number of tasks, including the following:
- Analyzing potential risks and benefits of a building site.
- Creating a timeline, budget, list of resources and work-hours estimate for a project.
- Drafting blueprints.
- Proposing plans to clients, making adjustments based on feedback.
- Testing soils and building materials.
Civil engineers may divide their time between the office and a construction site. Although some may draft blueprints manually, most firms today use desktop computers in the office, with laptops and tablets for use at remote sites.
Civil Engineer Education Requirements
Civil engineers must have earned a bachelor’s degree to enter the field. In addition to building a strong foundation in mathematics and science, undergraduate coursework includes engineering mechanics, surveying, materials science and computer-aided design. Programs such as the one offered by the University of Massachusetts – Lowell include advanced study and electives in structural, environmental, transportation and geotechnical engineering.
Licensure may be required depending on your employer and your state. Licensure is earned by exam through the National Society of Professional Engineers.
As explained on the website of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), a master’s degree documents commitment to the profession through advanced study and research. Graduate-level classes are typically small, providing opportunities for one-on-one mentoring by faculty and collaboration with peers. A master’s allows you to specialize in a particular area of civil engineering such as hazardous waste containment or structural design for fire conditions.
What Can a Civil Engineer With a Master’s Expect to Earn?
Civil engineers design, build and supervise infrastructure systems such as bridges, highways, airports, dams, tunnels and water treatment systems. A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or civil engineering technology is required to enter the field; licensure requirements vary from state to state. Salary.com reports that the typical master’s in civil engineering salary ranges between $68,701 and $72,478, although earnings can be greatly affected by factors such as employer and geographic location.
Civil Engineering Industry
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that, as of 2020, an estimated 300,850 people were employed as civil engineers in the United States, earning an average yearly salary of $95,440. The vast majority of workers were employed for architectural and engineering services. Others were employed in nonresidential building construction and by federal, state and local governments.
Top-paying industries for civil engineers, along with average salaries, were reported by the BLS as follows:
- Waste treatment and disposal: $127,050
- Oil and gas extraction: $124,670
- Social advocacy organizations: $121,360
- Computer systems design and related services: $114,890
- Management of companies and enterprises: $114,170
The highest employment level for civil engineers was found in California, followed by Texas, Florida, New York and Colorado. On average, civil engineers earned the highest salaries in California ($113,200), New York ($105,210), New Jersey ($100,690), Alaska ($100,160) and Oklahoma ($98,940).
Civil Engineer Salary and Job Outlook
The BLS reported the median 2020 salary for civil engineers with a bachelor’s degree as $88,570 per year, or $42.58 per hour. Median salary means that half in the profession earned more, while half earned less. The BLS projects an 8 percent job growth rate through 2030, a rate considered average when compared to other occupations.
According to Best Accredited Colleges, the following list, based on BLS data, gives some of the career options and associated median salaries for individuals with a master’s in civil engineering.
- Civil engineer: $87,060
- Architectural and engineering manager: $144,830
- Construction manager: $95,260
- Urban and regional planner: $74,350
- Environmental engineer: $88,860
