Civil Engineer

Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.

Educational Requirements

for Civil Engineers
The typical entry level education for this occupation is a bachelor’s degree. Those with a master’s degree have a competitive advantage in the labor market.

Knowledge

Examples of the knowledge needed for success in this occupation is listed below, in order of importance. This information comes from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
  • Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Skills

Examples of the skills needed for success in this occupation are listed below, in order of importance. This information comes from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
  • Critical Thinking: Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
  • Reading Comprehension: Reading work-related information.
  • Complex Problem Solving: Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
  • Operations Analysis: Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
  • Speaking: Talking to others.

Abilities

Examples of the abilities needed for success in this occupation are listed below, in order of importance. This information comes from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
  • Oral Comprehension: Listening and understanding what people say.
  • Problem Sensitivity: Noticing when problems happen.
  • Deductive Reasoning: Using rules to solve problems.
  • Oral Expression: Communicating by speaking.
  • Information Ordering: Ordering or arranging things.

Detailed Work Activities

Examples of the detailed work activities involved with this occupation are listed below, in order of importance. This information comes from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
  • Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.
  • Design systems to reduce harmful emissions.
  • Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
  • Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects.
  • Test characteristics of materials or structures.