Civil Engineering Jobs in the United States

Civil Engineering Jobs: Overview

A civil engineer plans and designs the engineering components of buildings, roads, railroads, bridges, sewer plants, and other buildings. The hours are typically 9-5, but some projects may demand overtime. The outlook for civil engineering jobs is expected to grow 7% in the next decade.

Civil engineers usually work outdoors, on construction sites. They may have to travel, depending on where the facility or building is located. Some jobs you can get as a civil engineer include:

• Bridge Engineer: Focuses on designing and constructing bridges and similar structures.
• Civil Engineering Designer: Creates designs for residential and industrial constructions based on a company's or client's specifications.
• Civil Engineering Technician: Maintains, troubleshoots, and installs designs created by civil engineers.
• Coastal Engineer: Designs and constructs coastal structures, such as harbors and ports.
• Construction Engineer: Manages and oversees the construction at a site, from start to finish.
• Consulting Engineer: Provides expertise and advice in the planning and design of various structures.
• Corrosion Engineer: Works to prevent corrosion at industrial plants or metal structures, such as metal bridges and pipelines.
• Facilities Engineer: Plans, maintains, and operates different industrial and manufacturing plants.
• Field Engineer: Inspects and installs new equipment and technologies in a variety of industries.
• Field Service Engineer: Installs and maintains on-site house equipment.

Salary for Civil Engineering Jobs

The median annual salary for a civil engineer is $79,482. This salary can range from a low of $58,088 to a high of $99.480. How much you will earn depends on your education, experience, and location.

The salary of civil engineers will vary from city to city, depending on the cost of living. A civil engineer in New York City can expect to make about $86,565, for example, while a civil engineer in Atlanta can expect to make about $78,826 a year.

To find out more about the civil engineer salary in your city or salaries for related jobs, check out our salary calculator. Here, you will also find potential next steps in your career which may increase your salary.

Finding Civil Engineering Jobs

To find civil engineering jobs, write down your experience, skills, and career goals. Determine your strengths and weaknesses. Make note of the kind of work environment you prefer as well as the civil engineering projects that interest you.

You may also need to brush up on your skills or get more certifications. Here are some certifications to consider adding to your resume:

• Certified Construction Manager
• Certified Safety Director
• Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control
• LEED AP Building Design + Construction
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Review Civil Engineer Job Openings

Read the job responsibilities carefully to ensure they match your skills and engineering experience. If there are areas you need more training, consider getting certified or taking some courses, whether it's in building design, AutoCAD software, or more. Pay attention to the expectations mentioned in the job opening. Unclear or unrealistic expectations can be a red flag.

Research the Company's Culture

Find companies and industries that actively hire civil engineers and research those companies. Look through their websites and their blogs. Researching a company helps you determine what their work culture is like and if it fits with you or not.

Find out what the work-life balance is and if it suits your needs. Look for company blogs and newsletters to assess the team dynamics on civil engineering projects. Most companies will list their values and the company mission on the home page of their website. It's important you feel comfortable with those values.

Look for Growth Opportunities

Find out if there are opportunities to advance at the companies you're interested in. Will there be workshops for employees? Will employees be able to obtain additional certifications on the job? Does the company promote from within?

How to Apply to Civil Engineering Jobs

When applying for civil engineering jobs, it's important to be consistent and thorough. Review the job description carefully to see what experience, skills, and qualifications are needed.

Tailor your resume to the job description by highlighting the specific civil engineering certifications they require, your years of experience, and the relevant civil engineering projects you have accomplished. Having multiple certifications may boost your salary and increase your chances of getting hired, for example. Finally, prepare a portfolio of the work you have done, the certificates you have, and any courses you have completed.

Create an Effective Resume

Have you found your dream job? Then it’s time to create a professional resume and apply. View our sample civil engineer resume, and follow these tips to build a professional resume:

• Read the job description again to see what keywords are used. Copy and paste those keywords and use them in your resume. Some keywords for civil engineering jobs may include the words "planning," "construction," or "design."
• Since civil engineering is a technical field, emphasize your technical skills as well as any programming languages you are familiar with. Make sure to list your civil engineering certifications prominently.
• Describe the engineering projects you have contributed to or led. Provide important details such as the objectives of the project, your responsibilities, and the final outcome.
• Since civil engineering involves a lot of analytical thinking and problem-solving, emphasize areas where you resolved engineering problems and provided effective solutions. Show that you can analyze data and blueprints for different structures.
• Show your ability to work on a team. Civil engineering projects are usually collaborative efforts and streamlined communication is essential.
• Finally, list any professional civil engineering affiliations you may belong to. This shows your desire to stay connected to the industry.

Here are some some common resume mistakes you should avoid when applying for civil engineering jobs:

• Typos or grammatical errors
• Lack of specifics
• Highlighting duties instead of accomplishments
• Going on too long
• Leaving off important information

Need a little extra help with your resume? Check out Monster's professional resume writing services. We will help you get noticed by recruiters.

Write a Compelling Cover Letter

After you have tightened up and strengthened your resume, you can now write a compelling cover letter. A good cover letter will always start with a strong opening paragraph. Make sure to highlight your accomplishments, experience, and qualifications after a brief one- or two-sentence introduction.

Every sentence should provide useful information that indicates why you are a perfect fit for the job. Customize each application and demonstrate a knowledge of the specific civil engineering projects the company tackles.

Provide information about your past projects, but keep it concise. A letter that's one page long is often the ideal length. View our sample civil engineering cover letter. This will give you a good idea of what to include or leave out.

Submit Your Application

Once your resume and cover letter are ready to go, create a Monster account and submit your application to all the civil engineering jobs you feel qualified for. Make sure to follow the instructions in the job posting and provide the correct documents. Once you upload your resume online, recruiters can find you in our database. Who knows, your next job might find you!

How to Follow up With an Employer

Once you have submitted your civil engineering application, wait one or two weeks before following up. Some companies will post their preferred method of contact and the name of the hiring manager. If there is no name listed on the job description, visit the company's website to see if a hiring manager is listed. You can always call the company to find out who you should direct your email to. Make sure to send a follow-up email during working hours, and address your email directly to the hiring manager. 

Remember to keep your follow-up letter concise and professional. Highlight your civil engineering qualifications once more as well as any certifications you have. Mention that you are inquiring about the status of your application and express your interest in the position.

Interviewing Tips for Civil Engineers

Did you get invited for an interview? Congrats! Before you go in for your interview, make sure you familiarize yourself with the company. Make note of the company's values, mission, and any major accomplishments. Brush up on your technical knowledge, such as engineering principles, codes, relevant software, and any tools that you will be expected to know.

The Interview Process

The interview may consist of multiple rounds of interviews, such as a video interview, a phone interview, or an in-person interview. Practice answering different kinds of questions. Here are some sample civil engineer questions and ways that you could respond. Practice answering these questions until you sound confident.

Interview Tips

To come across as professional, follow these tips:

• Highlight the specific civil engineering projects you have accomplished as well as your problem-solving abilities. Demonstrate that you can think critically and find effective solutions.
• Make sure you are on top of the current industry trends in civil engineering as well as any new technologies. This will show your commitment to the field. If you have taken additional courses or you are part of professional organizations, be sure to mention this.
• For behavioral questions, use the STAR technique to formulate your answer. This demonstrates your experience and skill through specific examples.

Follow Up

Once you have completed the interview, give the company time to think about whether or not you're a good fit. After one or two weeks, compose an email or call the hiring manager directly. Inquire about the position and check if the job is still available. It's important to always remain professional. If the company is unsure, highlight your qualifications again. If the company has gone with another applicant, thank them for their time and continue submitting applications for civil engineering jobs.

After You Get an Offer

After you get an offer for a civil engineering job, the first thing you should do is thank the employer for the opportunity. Next, take some time to evaluate the offer. Does it compare with your expectations and needs? Does the company provide an opportunity to grow? Is it far from your home or is the commute doable?

If there aren't sufficient details in the offer, ask the company to clarify the kinds of job responsibilities you will have, your benefits, and other details they may have missed. If you need to negotiate your salary or benefits, make sure you are professional. Show the median salary for the city you live in, and see if yours is comparable. If you feel your licenses demand a higher salary, let the company know.

Once you have had time to look over the offer, respond quickly. Inform the company of your decision to either accept or decline the offer. Make sure to maintain a good relationship throughout.

Career Paths for Civil Engineers

There are quite a few career paths you can follow if you have a civil engineering degree:

• Structural Engineer: As a structural engineer, you can specialize in designing buildings, bridges, and similar infrastructure projects.
• Transport Engineer: As a transport engineer, you can specialize in the design of transportation systems, such as railways, subways, and highways.
• Geotechnical Engineers: If you enjoy foundation design and underground construction, you may want to become a geotechnical engineer. Your focus would be on the behavior of rocks and soil beneath the surface of construction projects.
• Construction Engineers: As a construction engineer, your job would be to manage construction projects from start to finish. This would include managing budgets and ensuring quality control throughout the process.

Professional Development and Networking Opportunities

To further your career and continue to develop as a civil engineer, you can attend conferences and workshops that are geared toward civil engineers. There are multiple different courses you can add to your resume on specialized topics, such as AutoCAD for Design and Drafting or Construction Management courses. Besides the main certifications, there are additional certifications you can pursue, too, such as a Certified Survey Technician (CST).

To network, look for engineering network events. Organizations like the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) can offer huge benefits. ASCE also provides opportunities to be involved in communities near your home.

The Future of the Industry for Civil Engineers

Sustainable development is gaining traction and could open doors for civil engineers. There will be an increasing demand to create structures that reduce energy consumption. Besides structures that are more energy efficient, civil engineers may also be tasked with creating infrastructures that are more resilient to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes.

Advanced technologies, such as 3D printing, will become more widespread; and civil engineers may need to incorporate 3D printing into their structural designs. AI and the use of robotics may also become more commonplace, such as the use of drones for surveying and inspecting construction sites. This may create a greater demand for civil engineers who are familiar with automation, 3D printing, AI, and robotics.

Similar Occupations to Civil Engineering Jobs

Want to browse more jobs? Take a look at these similar roles:

• Bridge Engineer
• Construction Engineer
• Civil Engineering Designer
• Coastal Engineer
• Civil Engineering Technician