Among the jobs that are rarely affected by a struggling economy are civil engineering jobs. There are many different types of engineers, including nuclear, mechanical, industrial, electrical, environmental, and agricultural engineers. So, what makes civil engineers as important as all the others? Civil engineering jobs are important because these are the jobs which supervise the construction of the infrastructure we use everyday, including roads, tunnels, bridges, water systems, and airports. Such work is immensely important because not only do civil engineers manage and supervise the construction, they have to determine the life span of these structures. Having this tremendous responsibility requires those in civil engineering jobs to know many disciplines.
Civil engineering jobs combine many aspects of math and science and use these skills in creating elaborate, well-designed, functional projects that benefit society. Civil engineering is one of the major categories for engineering jobs. The three subdivisions in civil engineering jobs are transportation, structural, and materials engineering. Civil engineers must know how materials will last over the decades and withstand the elements over time. Not only do you need to have the technical skills required, you must also be creative, show attention to detail, and work well in teams because communicating efficiently with others is critical. Being able to get the job done properly and in the time estimated is important if you hope to advance in your career.
Civil engineering jobs require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific engineering category. All engineers must pass a licensing exam to serve the public. In very simple terms, the more you learn, the more you will earn. Civil engineers must have up-to-date knowledge of software and new technologies in this ever growing field. When training, the more knowledge you accumulate, the more you will add value to your resume; in turn, the possibility of getting hired will increase. There are over 1,800 college programs that are accredited by the ABET, or Accredited Board for Engineering and Technology. After graduating from an ABET accredited university, you must complete four years of work and the pass your state exam. Receiving the civil engineering degree itself is really the beginning, not the end. The process of learning never ends.
Senior civil engineering jobs account for the most engineers in the United States, over 250,000. The engineering field is expected to grow over the next decade, but some areas will grow faster than others. Technologies play a huge role in the engineering fields, so employers will need employees who have recently graduated and are aware of the latest technologies.
Even though civil engineering accounts for the most engineering jobs, this shouldn't damper your enthusiasm for the field. The ever-changing technologies will continually require new and up-to-date engineers. Some civil engineers will retire, and there will be a need to fill those positions. Civil engineering jobs will continue growing steadily in number over the next decade. Companies will want to go green and will want the latest advancements in water sewage and pollution reduction. Bridges and roads do not last forever, so there will always be civil technician jobs needed to repair and replace said structures.
Engineers are among the highest paid professionals who hold bachelor's degrees, with an average salary ranging from $75,000 to $105,000 per year. The lowest paid 10% of civil engineers earn $45,000 or so, and highest paid 10% make $125,000. If you hold a master's degree, your average starting salary would be around $88,000. So, if you are looking for this type of work, you are certainly looking at a good field, but remember that staying current with all the latest technologies will make you more appealing.
