Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
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.
Also called: Civil Designer · Civil Engineering Assistant · Civil Engineering Technician · Design Technician · Engineer Technician · Engineering Assistant
Median pay (national)
$64,200
$43,550–$97,840 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
62,130
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+2.1%
~5,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
Associate's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for civil engineering technologists and technicians shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $97,840 versus $43,550 at the bottom 10% — 2.2x. The median of $64,200 leaves roughly 52% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +2.1% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 5,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $105,820, +65% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $35,360 — a 199% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D, Bentley MicroStation, ESRI ArcGIS software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Mathematics
- Speaking
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Science
- Learning Strategies
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Report maintenance problems occurring at project site to supervisor and negotiate changes to resolve system conflicts.
- Analyze proposed site factors and design maps, graphs, tracings, and diagrams to illustrate findings.
- Prepare reports and document project activities and data.
- Conduct materials test and analysis, using tools and equipment and applying engineering knowledge.
- Develop plans and estimate costs for installation of systems, utilization of facilities, or construction of structures.
- Negotiate with contractors on prices for new contracts or modifications to existing contracts.
Tools & technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Bentley MicroStation
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Autodesk Revit
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- SAP software
- Autodesk Land Desktop
- Bentley Systems InRoads Suite
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- Coordinate geometry COGO software
- Digital terrain modeling software
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Building and Construction
- Design
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service