Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Pay and outlook

Median annual wage, May 2025

$64,950

Half earn more, half earn less

Middle half earn

$51,490 – $80,650

25th to 75th percentile

People employed, May 2025

68,520

Wage and salary jobs (OEWS)

Projected change, 2025–35

+3.2%

Growing slower than all jobs (0% to under 3.5%)

Openings a year (projected)

6,100

New jobs plus replacing people who leave

Typical education to enter

Associate's degree

BLS

• All figures are for the United States as a whole. Pay varies a lot by state and city.
• Wages are for everyone working in the occupation in May 2025, at every career stage. They are not starting salaries or figures for new graduates.
• Growth and openings are BLS projections for 2025–35. They are estimates, not promises. Openings include jobs that open up when people retire or change occupation, not just new jobs.

What the work involves

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

Main tasks

• Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities, using calculator or computer.
• Read and review project blueprints and structural specifications to determine dimensions of structure or system and material requirements.
• Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Confer with supervisor to determine project details such as plan preparation, acceptance testing, and evaluation of field conditions.
• Analyze proposed site factors and design maps, graphs, tracings, and diagrams to illustrate findings.
• Prepare reports and document project activities and data.
• Report maintenance problems occurring at project site to supervisor and negotiate changes to resolve system conflicts.

Description and tasks from the O*NET® 31.0 Database.

Getting in

Typical education to enter (BLS)

Associate's degree

O*NET Job Zone 3

Medium preparation

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Fields of study that lead here

From the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk, which links 5 programmes to this occupation. A link means the programme prepares people for this kind of work. It doesn't mean the programme is required, or that it's the only route.

Related careers

Related occupations from the O*NET database, in its order.

• Architectural and Civil Drafters

  $66,150 median · +5.2% projected

• Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

  $74,510 median · +1.3% projected

• Construction Managers

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• Construction and Building Inspectors

  $74,690 median · 0% projected

• Electrical and Electronics Drafters

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• Mechanical Drafters

  $71,550 median · -6% projected