Engineering and architecture
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.
Median pay
$64,950
Growth to 2035
+3%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
6,100
Time to qualify*
2 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Civil engineering technologists and technicians
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to civil engineering technologists and technicians
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Civil engineering technologists and technicians: 15% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Civil Designer · Civil Engineering Assistant · Civil Engineering Technician · Design Technician · Engineer Technician · Engineering Assistant · Engineering Technician · Transportation Engineering Technician
Outlook and AI
Civil engineering technologists and technicians held 70,900 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 73,200 by 2035 (+3%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Productivity change - share decreases as fewer civil engineering technicians are needed due to improved drafting software, such as CAD, which increases their productivity.
Compare with
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians vs. Architectural and civil drafters
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians vs. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians vs. Construction manager
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians vs. Construction and building inspectors
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians vs. Electrical and electronics drafters
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians vs. Mechanical drafter
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians vs. Civil engineer
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians vs. Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians vs. Environmental engineering technologists and technicians
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians vs. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians