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Civil Engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of structures and facilities such as highways, airstrips, bridges, dams, buildings, and water and sewage systems, using new and established techniques and engineering principles.  

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION  

Civil Engineers may : 

Determine the need for improvements to existing structures and facilities

Prepare and analyze detailed designs, drawings (plans), photography, reports, blueprints and specifications

Plan and design hydraulic systems, structures, following government standards using software and drawing tools

Determine design specifications by computing load and grade requirements, stress factors, and water flow rates

Estimate quantities and costs of materials and labor

Prepare written documents, such as project bidding proposals for construction contracts

Test materials to be used such as asphalt, concrete, and steel

Test soil and bedrock to determine foundation design for project

Determine solutions to engineering problems

Supervise construction and maintenance of projects

Inspect existing or newly constructed projects and recommend repairs

Perform technical research

Determine the impact of construction on the environment

Machines, equipment, tools, and work aids used by Civil Engineers differ greatly according to specialty. However, most Civil Engineers use:

• Testing tools and equipment
• Compasses 
• Electronic counter

• Levels

• Drawings/prints/specifications/contracts

• Handbooks/other reference materials

• Surveying equipment (lasers/levels/transits calculators/computers)

• Computer-aided-design and drafting equipment

• Federal/state/local ordinances, standards/specifications

• Computers (with Internet access), scientific software, word processing software, electronic mail software, spreadsheet software, and map creation software

• Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's)

To view Civil Engineers at work click  here .

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES 

Civil Engineers may specialize in these areas:

005.061-014  CIVIL ENGINEERS plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of structures and facilities such as highways, airstrips, bridges, dams, buildings, and water and sewage systems, using new and established techniques and engineering principles.

005.061-018  HYDRAULIC ENGINEERS or Hydrologic Engineers design and direct the construction of power and other hydraulic engineering projects for the control and use of water. They work on such projects as construction of canals, dams, and reservoirs and such programs as soil drainage, water conservation, and flood control.

005.061-034  STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS plan, design, and oversee the construction and erection of reinforced steel, concrete, and other structural materials in buildings, bridges, and other structures.

005.061-030  SANITARY ENGINEERS sometimes called public health engineers design and oversee the construction and operation of hygienic projects such as waterworks, wastewater treatment, disposal of solid and hazardous waste, and pest control projects.

005.061-014  ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERS apply engineering principles in order to help protect the quality of life by correcting or improving a great variety of environmental conditions. Some environmental engineers may work as compliance officers for government agencies, enforcing environmental protection regulations.

005.061-038  TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS design and prepare drawings, estimates, and specifications for the construction and operation of surface transportation projects according to state or federal construction policy. Transportation engineers may work in specialized areas, such as traffic operations, traffic studies, geometric design, industrial traffic management and transportation systems planning.

Other specializations include highway, airport, irrigation, railroad, forest, ocean, geotechnical (soil mechanics), municipal, construction, resource recovery, and radioactive materials waste management engineering.

Some Civil Engineers may work also in technical sales, technical writing, teaching, consulting, inspection, administration, and valuation and appraisal.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 

Depending on the agency or institution, Civil Engineers may work alone but usually work with other engineers, surveyors, or supervisors.

Working conditions for Civil Engineers vary. They may work outdoors at construction sites or indoors in clean, well-lighted and well-ventilated offices and research and testing labs.

Civil Engineers work in all parts of the country, usually in or near major industrial and commercial centers. They may also work in remote areas of foreign countries. In some jobs, they often move from place to place to work on different projects.

Most engineers work 40 to 55 hours per week during regular daytime hours. Self-employed engineers arrange their own schedules.

Some engineers may be required to furnish part of their drafting equipment and their own computers.

Most Civil Engineers in Michigan belong to the American Society of Civil Engineers and/or the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers. Some also join unions or other employee organizations. Members must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Activities which require creative imagination

• Activities involving use of machines, processes, and techniques

You Should Be Able To:

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Plan, direct, and control activities and the work of others

• Perform mathematical operations quickly and accurately

• Do detailed work with a high degree of accuracy

• Think logically and use good judgment

• Rate information by measurable, verifiable standards

• Communicate well, both orally and in writing

• Visualize flat drawings or pictures as solid objects

Math Problem You Should Be Able To Solve:

Which has more inertia, 10 cubic centimeters of steel or 20 cubic centimeters of aluminum, and how many times more?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Machines and motors are quite common, and we often talk about their efficiency. Efficiency involves work, energy, and/or power. Simple and complex machines that do work have mechanical parts that move, so some energy is always lost because of friction.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a project bidding proposal concerning construction contracts.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to look at a construction and decide if it needs repairs or additions to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Engineers whose work affects public health, life, or property must be licensed by the Board of Professional Engineers of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth. The State of  Michigan requires a license for this occupation.  Click here  for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Engineer, Licensed Professional for specific licensing information.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES 

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***  

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1600 FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***  

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***  

032  CIVIL ENGINEERING

Programs in Civil Engineering provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for professional leadership in the application of Civil Engineering. Areas of application include land surveying, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, construction engineering, structural engineering, and transportation engineering.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

058  ENGINEERING ( PRE-PROFESSIONAL)  

Pre-Engineering Programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills required for admission to professional engineering colleges.

Many Michigan colleges and universities offer programs which may satisfy the prerequisites for admission to engineering schools. Students should contact the engineering schools of their choice for admission requirements and consult their school's pre-professional adviser to ensure that admission prerequisites will be met.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

The most common requirements for entering a community college are a high school diploma, or GED, or being at least 18 years old and completing application forms. In addition, entering a college or university may require graduation from high school in a college preparatory program, a grade point average acceptable to the school to which you apply, and passing entrance examinations.  

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***  

Although this occupation has apprenticeship programs available in Michigan, they are limited in number. See the Sources of More Information below for name, address and phone number of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

You will also find a more extensive list of information sources in the "What Is an Apprenticeship?" document found under the MOIS Supports Menu Items.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***  

Please check the Military web site at  http://www.myfuture.com.

CIVIL ENGINEERS

Airfields, roads, bridges, buildings, power plants, docks, and water treatment plants on military bases around the world are continually being built, repaired, and improved. Civil engineers plan, design, and direct the construction of military facilities.

What They Do  

Civil engineers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Study the need for roads, airfields, buildings and other facilities

• Direct surveys of construction areas

• Design construction projects

• Help select contractors to build facilities

• Check construction progress to see that it meets plans

• Plan and direct facility maintenance and modernization

• Plan temporary facilities for use in emergencies

• Keep master plans for military bases up to date

Special Requirements  

A 4-year college degree in civil, architectural, sanitary, or environmental engineering, or another closely related field is required to enter this occupation.

Helpful Attributes  

Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in engineering principles and concepts

• Interest in working with mathematical formulas

Training Provided  

No initial job training is provided to officers in this occupation. However, advanced courses are offered to support medical service and environmental control building programs.

Civilian Counterparts  

Civilian civil engineers work for engineering firms, construction companies, and government agencies. Some may work for public utilities, railroads, and manufacturing firms. Civilian civil engineers perform duties similar to those performed in the military; however, they often specialize in certain types of projects.

Work Environment  

Civil engineers work in offices when designing projects or reviewing reports. They work outdoors when overseeing survey or construction activities.

Opportunities  

The services need new civil engineers each year. Newly commissioned civil engineers usually assist senior engineering officers in planning and design. With experience, they may manage construction projects and eventually, engineering offices. In time, they may advance to senior management or command positions in the engineering field.  

  E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY 

Part-time work as an engineering assistant may be available for students with 1 or 2 years of college. Postsecondary programs in Civil Engineering or general engineering may offer co-op or work experience programs. Military service may offer some opportunities for experience as well. Departments and agencies of the federal government also offer cooperative education programs for engineering occupations.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorship's

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Civil Engineer employer

internships

volunteer work with a Civil Engineer employer

community service work with an agency

Most Civil Engineering graduates apply directly to employers. College placement offices may be of help in finding a job as a newspaper want ads and publications professional. Engineers applying to government agencies might have to take a civil service exam. The American Society of Civil Engineers, The Institute of Transportation Engineers', and other professional organizations publish monthly journals which list job openings. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Civil Engineers depend on the engineer's experience, capabilities, job responsibilities, education, and on the type, size, and location of the employing organization.

Nationally, median annual earnings of Civil Engineers were $69,524 (2007). Most licensed professional Civil Engineers earned between $60,000 and $100,000. Most professional Civil Engineers working in surveying earned salaries ranging from $82,314 to $139,000, while those specializing in structural engineering earned from $60,600 to $102,043.     The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $36,140 in 2007.

In late 2007, graduates of Civil Engineering programs were offered annual starting salaries averaging $49,427 for a Bachelor's Degree and $56,500 for a Master's Degree.

The federal government paid Civil Engineers with a Bachelor's Degree annual starting salaries of $34,139 or $42,290 and those with Master's Degrees $42,290 or $51,738, depending on college records (in 2008). Those having PhDs started at an annual salary of at least $54,568. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Depending on experience and level of responsibility, Civil Engineers working for the State of Michigan earned between $38,064 and $67,797 per year (early 2008). Transportation and environmental engineers in administration earned more. Civil Engineers employed by city government agencies in Michigan had annual earnings of (early 2008):

Graduates of Civil Engineering programs in Michigan in 2007 received average offers ranging from $43,750 for undergraduates to $60,050 for graduate students per year. Depending on the employer, Civil Engineers may receive paid vacations, holidays, and sick leave; life, health, accident, and disability insurance; retirement plans; and profit sharing. Some receive tuition reimbursement, use of a company car, and expense accounts.

Civil Engineers advance in industry with experience or more training or education and in government by passing civil service exams for higher level positions.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK 

There were approximately 256,300 Civil Engineers employed nationally in 2006. Employment is expected to increase more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. About 4.4% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Civil Engineers looked like this:

To find employers, click  Employer/Business Locator.  

Employment is expected to increase as a result of a growing need for housing, industrial buildings, and electric power generating plants. Work on environmental pollution and energy self-sufficiency will also result in growth. More Civil Engineers will also be needed to repair or replace existing roads, bridges, and other public structures. There are approximately 5,050 Civil Engineers employed in Michigan. They were employed by highway, building, and other construction firms; consulting firms; manufacturing companies; public utility companies; and governmental agencies.

Employment of Civil Engineers in Michigan is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. An average of 130 annual openings is expected, with 50 due to growth and 80 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

Generally, employment of Civil Engineers in the construction and services industries depends on economic conditions. However, anticipated population growth and shifts in population will increase the need for Civil Engineers to work in the development of new residential areas, the expansion of transportation systems, and the redevelopment of urban areas. Employment opportunities for Civil Engineers should also increase as a result of public concern over protecting the environment and an interest in improving travel infrastructures (roads, highways, airports, and rail conduits).

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2014

MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

Copyright © 2008 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth