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Civil Engineering Technician

Overview and Key Facts

woman engineer with rollercoaster behind her
Education
Education
Associate's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$64,200
Job Growth
Job Growth
2.10%
(Below US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
66,200

What Do They Do?

A civil engineering technician could...

 
bridge
Help select a building material (wood, steel, stone, reinforced concrete, alloys, or plastics) for constructing a new bridge.
intersection
Monitor traffic flow at major intersections to see if improvements need to be made.
concrete wall
Stake out where a concrete or earthen structure will be placed near a waterway to control flooding.
construction site
Plan the construction of new buildings and the destruction of old ones.
 
bridge intersection concrete wall construction site

Overview Listen to this section

Do you dream of building big? Civil engineering technicians help build some of the largest structures in the world—from buildings, bridges, and dams to highways, airfields, and wastewater treatment facilities. Many of these construction projects are "public works," meaning they strengthen and benefit a community, state, or the nation.
Watch this video to see how civil engineering technicians are involved in road extensions, improving train stations, and other infrastructure projects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtVxO18jLnc

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Civil Engineering Technician?


  1. Critical Thinking: ?
  2. Active Listening: ?
  3. Reading Comprehension: ?
  4. Mathematics: ?
  5. Speaking: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Civil Engineering Technician might do:
  • 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.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Civil Engineering Technician Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Civil Engineering Technician jobs (2.10%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Civil Engineering Technician

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Associate's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

Most companies that hire civil engineering technicians prefer candidates with a two-year associate's degree in engineering technology. These degrees are available from community colleges, technical institutes, colleges and universities, private vocational-technical schools, and the armed forces. Employers do not usually require that engineering technicians be certified, but certification may offer a competitive advantage.

Because the schools that offer two-year degrees have different kinds of programs—some emphasize theory, for instance, while others specialize in practical training—choosing the right curriculum is important. Often, companies that hire civil engineering technicians can offer suggestions about which schools provide the best training for their specialty. Some large companies also offer training programs in which the trainee works during the day and then attends evening classes. Such a program allows the beginner to learn, while simultaneously gaining practical experience. The armed services train thousands of technicians each year. However, military programs can be narrowly focused, so individuals who want jobs as civil engineering technicians should make sure that military training will apply to their later careers.

Companies That Hire Civil Engineering Technicians

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Nature of the Work

Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers plan and oversee the building of roads, highways, buildings, airfields, harbors, bridges, dams, wastewater treatment systems, and other structures and do related research. Some estimate construction costs and specify materials to be used, and some may even prepare drawings or perform land-surveying duties. Others may set up and monitor instruments used to study traffic conditions.

Technicians sometimes work in urban renewal and community planning to improve the living conditions of cities or towns. They help plan the construction of new buildings and the destruction of old ones. Civil engineering technicians may work for city governments or large corporations.

The first stage of the technician's job is researching and planning the project. On a highway project, for instance, technicians may set up equipment to monitor traffic, so the engineers will know what kind of development is needed. The technicians help the engineers decide on the types and amounts of materials needed. They often help to estimate the costs of projects. They go to the work site and help the engineers survey the area or lay out the position of the structure's foundation. The technicians also help the engineers in drafting or by making a scale drawing of the object to be built. Much of this work is done with the use of computers.

During the construction of the project, the technicians work with the building contractor or site supervisor. They help schedule the work to be done by the different building trades. They also check the construction to see that it is being done according to the building plans. Technicians make sure that the workers complete each stage of construction before the next stage begins.

Work Environment

Technicians work in offices or on construction sites. Their offices are modern, well-lit, and well-ventilated. On construction sites, the work is cleaner than the work in most other construction trades. Civil engineering technicians usually work 40 hours per week, with extra pay for weekends and overtime work.

More Information

Ask Questions

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Additional Resources

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