Nature of the Work             Employment   Job Outlook

Nature of the Work

Civil engineers design and supervise the construction of roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and water supply and sewage systems.


Civil engineering, considered one of the oldest engineering disciplines, encompasses many specialties. The major specialties within civil engineering are structural, water resources, environmental, construction, transportation, and geotechnical engineering.


Many civil engineers hold supervisory or administrative positions, from supervisor of a construction site to city engineer. Others may work in design, construction, research, and teaching.

Employment

Most Civil engineers held jobs in firms providing architectural, engineering, and related services, primarily developing designs for new construction projects. Jobs are in Central, State and local government agencies. The construction industry accounted for most of the remaining employment. Civil engineers are self-employed, many as consultants.


Civil engineers usually work near major industrial and commercial centers, often at construction sites. Some projects are situated in remote areas. In some jobs, civil engineers move from place to place to work on different projects.

Job Outlook

Employment of civil engineers is expected to increase moderately. Spurred by general population growth and an increased emphasis on infrastructure and security, more civil engineers will be needed to design and construct safe and higher capacity transportation, water supply, and pollution control systems, and large buildings and building complexes.


Civil engineers will be needed to repair or replace existing roads, bridges, and other public structures. In addition to those arising from job growth, openings will result from the need to replace civil engineers who transfer to other occupations or leave permanently.


Because construction and related industries—including those providing design services—employ many civil engineers, employment opportunities will vary by geographic area.