Top 25 Highest Paying Civil Engineering Jobs

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highest paying civil engineering jobs
top 25 highest paying civil engineering jobs

Have you ever wondered how much a civil engineering job could earn you? There are diverse civil engineering jobs one with a civil engineering degree could work as. This article aims to list the highest paying civil engineering jobs.

Undeniably, Civil engineering has played an integral part in the development of our society. From the construction of roads, dams, bridges, railways, houses, etc we see its impacts all around us.

The demand for civil engineers continues to rise as the world evolves. There’s always a need to maintain and improve infrastructural development to enhance our society. This makes it a very interesting and rewarding career.

Nonetheless, having a better understanding of the duties of a civil engineer could help you in effectively contribute to your job. Although most of these jobs have the same job description, some earn higher than others.

Duties of a Civil Engineer

Civil engineers work on diverse projects and perform the following duties to ensure successful project completion.

Below are some of the duties of a civil engineer 

  • Designing of the construction plan.
  • They supervise construction sites.
  • They maintain infrastructure, repair and renovate old structures
  • They analyze survey reports
  • Evaluation of risks, and environmental hazards of a project, and proffer solutions to averting them.
  • Estimation of budget construction costs and the cost of materials needed for the project.

How to get Civil Engineering jobs

Getting your desired job can be difficult sometimes. Civil engineering jobs are not easy to come by, so it’s expected that you prepare yourself ahead of any opportunity that may arise in the future. Therefore, we’ve listed important things you can do to attain a civil engineering job easily.

The following steps will help in your bid to get your dream job in civil engineering

  • Earn a degree
  • Gain work experience
  • Join professional community
  • Prepare your resume
  • Apply for jobs

Earn a Degree

The first step to getting a job in any profession is having a degree in that field or related field. In this case, obtaining a degree in engineering is necessary. More so, organizations seek individuals with in-depth knowledge of their respective professions for efficient productivity.

However, if you already have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, you may want to advance your career by going for a Masters’s degree.

Gain Work Experience

Having work experience in your area of specialty is an added advantage. This sets you apart from employers. The best way to become experienced is through voluntary service or working as an assistant in a construction firm. This broadens your knowledge in one or all aspects of the profession.

Join Professional Community

Professional communities or societies such as The America Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) give you assess and the opportunity to connect with experts in your field of specialization. Through these societies, you’re building your network and stand a chance of working with great minds in the industry.

Prepare Your Resume

A resume is a reflection of who you are to a potential employer. It contains detailed information about your education, relevant skills, and work experience. However, it’s crucial to avoid making grammatical errors in your resume as this might send a wrong signal to employers. Ensure that your information is accurate.

Apply for Jobs

The next step is to start applying for jobs. You could search for civil engineering job vacancies through the internet, social media platforms, newspaper publications, and job websites. You may also get information from friends. This way you’re updated about vacancies and can start applying immediately.

Highest Paying Civil Engineering Jobs

Here are the 25 highest-paying civil engineering jobs:

Top 25 Highest-Paying Civil Engineering Jobs

#1. Engineering Project Manager

  • Estimated annual salary: $150,410

You would agree with me that every project needs a good project manager. These are trained professionals in the field of engineering. Engineering project engineers specialized in supervising, controlling, and assessing the operations of the engineering team. This helps them in ensuring the goals of a project are reached.

Additionally, engineering project managers stimulate teamwork among engineers and other professional workers to enhance good working conditions and productivity.

#2. Engineering Inspector

  • Estimated annual salary: $62,321

An engineering inspector inspects building structures to determine structural solidity, safety, and compliance with regulations.  Engineering inspector conducts inspections before, during, and after projects. They work may work together building control surveyors.

#3. Architect

  • Estimated annual salary: $96,880

Architects create the overall look of buildings and other structures. They are not involved in applying the workforce to a building. Their main role is to draft a building plan. Typically, we often refer to them as builders. They are different from construction engineers.

#4. Civil Engineering Drafter

  • Estimated annual salary: $50,136

Drafting is an essential aspect of projects and a well-paying career. Every structural design is drawn by civil engineering drafters. They make use of manual (paper, pencil, sketch boards) and software tools in designing projects such as railways, airports, bridges, pipelines, water systems, dams, and many more. They bring construction ideas to light through drawings.

#5. Drafting Supervisor

  • Estimated annual salary: $93,916

The drafting supervisor manages the affairs of the drafters ensuring that the designs drawn are accurate and in line with the project plan. Although, it’s also a highly paid civil engineering job, to become a drafting supervisor you must be experienced and have a good knowledge of the application of drafting tools.

#6. Failure Analysis Engineer

  • Estimated annual salary: $87,818

This job entails identifying problems and applying different techniques in solving them. Failure analysis engineers mostly work on equipment. They conduct tests and perform maintenance on construction facilities. Failure analysis engineers are critical thinkers and have excellent problem-solving skills.

Though a degree in Industrial engineering is required to become a failure analysis engineer they are not limited to working in any field of engineering.

#7. Land Surveyor

  • Estimated annual salary: $62,895

One other high-paying civil engineering job is Land Survey. Surveying is a significant facet of construction. Assessing the density and topography of a Land before the commencement of an operation. Land surveyors work with engineers, and gather necessary information. This information helps in sketching a detailed site plan.

Though some people become surveyors by working with surveying firms, others do so by undergoing a college degree program.

#8. Structural Engineer

  • Estimated annual salary: $80,421

Structural engineers are highly paid engineers as they are well-trained and creative professionals in their specialization. They are concerned about the climate factors affecting a structure. Some of these structures are bridges, skyscrapers, and towers. Structural engineers ensure these structures are safe for use.

#9. Mining Engineer

  • Estimated annual salary: $80,000

Mining engineers extract minerals from underneath the earth. Mining engineers also design and manage the construction of pipelines. They carry out research and surveys to determine the location of minerals and suitable mining sites.

#10. Construction Manager

  • Estimated annual salary: $84,090

Construction management is also high earned civil engineering job. Lack of management causes disorganization. Hence a construction manager is vital. The typical duties of a construction manager are to delegate tasks to team members, develop a construction plan, and schedule a timeline for project completion.

#11. Civil Engineering Technologist

  • Estimated annual salary: $80,321

Also known as engineering technicians, they act as support systems to civil engineers. Their job description gives them leverage to work in any construction firm or municipal organization. Aside from working with engineers, they work with surveyors and construction workers.

Having proficiency in courses such as mathematics, chemistry, and physics and a degree in engineering is a great way to start up a career as a civil engineering technologist.

#12. Facilities Engineer

  • Estimated annual salary: $87,695

The maintenance of building equipment is handled by the facilities engineers. They evaluate the operations of this equipment and suggest improvements when necessary. Due to their efficient management skills, facilities engineers work in diverse environments.

#13. Materials Engineer

  • Estimated annual salary: $83,771

This job description entails purchasing the right materials for a project. Before the execution of a project, material engineers research analyze, and select the appropriate materials required. Materials engineers ascertain the durability and how resistant they are under different conditions.

#14. Building Control Surveyor

  • Estimated annual salary: $68,197

This is an interesting but challenging job description. Building or construction work must meet regulatory standards in terms of fire resistance, good drainage system, ventilation, and stability. As a building control surveyor, you need to be proficient in mathematics and have good communication skills.

#15. Civil Estimator

  • Estimated annual salary: $75,112

The job title says it all. Civil estimators prepare the budget and estimate the cost of a project. They may also prepare reports, and work with the construction team to determine budgets, financial costs for materials, and manpower for the project.

#16. Site Engineer

  • Estimated annual salary:  $70,680

Site engineers oversee the daily activities (planning, implementation, equipment, cost, labor) of a construction site. They enhance effective communication among team members. Most times they are referred to as construction managers due to their job description.

#17. Design Engineers

  • Estimated annual salary: $80,650

Every structure around us that we admire is a product of the Design engineers. They combine their creative abilities with engineering. They create designs and bring structural ideas into reality. Asides from designing structures, they ensure that designs are cost-effective.

#18. Civil Engineering Supervisor

  • Estimated annual salary: $96,182

A civil engineering supervisor supervises the construction of civil engineering projects. Civil supervisors cooperate with general contractors, subcontractors, and other engineers to ensure construction work is in line with the requirements and specifications of the project plan.

#19. Engineering manager

  • Estimated annual salary: $90,456

The engineering manager coordinates projects and oversees a team of engineers. More so, they are in charge of recruiting,  training and managing a team of engineers. They designate tasks and monitor engineers’ progress. Engineering managers have experience in civil engineering and specialize in overseeing various aspects of infrastructures.

#20. Land Development Engineer

  • Estimated annual salary: $93,354

As a land development engineer, your job involves examining land viability and determining if it’s suitable for the establishment of proposed projects. This is an important aspect of project construction. As part of the job description, you coordinate with architects and engineers to effect maximum productivity.

#21. Drawing Checker

  • Estimated annual salary: $78,456

This is also another highly-paid civil engineering job. Drawing checkers are experts in detecting design errors. They ensure that each drawing or draft comprises the required specifications to curb problems that may arise during construction or structural repairs. It’s essential to have in-depth knowledge and experience to do action in this role.

#22. Water Hygiene Engineer

  • Estimated annual salary: $75,680

Water hygiene engineers are specialized in water systems. These engineers perform analyses and monitor the adequate performance of meters and gauges. Water hygiene engineers gather information, give reports, and suggest possible solutions to improve water hygiene.

#23. Fire Engineer

  • Estimated annual salary: $60,580

Implementing fire safety and protection procedures is the responsibility of the fire engineer. They work with authorities and advise clients to adhere to fire safety regulations and conduct research for the right installation and positioning of fire and safety equipment. Fire engineers inspect fire machinery for defects or damage.

#24. Consulting Engineer

  • Estimated annual salary: $89,406

Consulting engineers are advisory professionals. They provide building or structures advice to engineers before or during projects for improved performance. Consulting engineers assist with design frameworks, such as estimation, construction details, and prospective structural support. Consulting engineers provide suggestions on design deficiencies or constraints while evaluating operational costs.

#25. Planning Engineer

  • Estimated annual salary: $92,558

Planning is a vital part of our everyday lives. This helps to shape our goals and aspirations. Likewise, it’s important in a project. Planning engineers design project plans and choose the best engineering methods to guarantee the project satisfies requirements. Planners establish goals and use analysis and reporting to track progress. To manage expectations and direct workloads, planning engineers collaborate with other team members.

Job Prospect for Civil Engineers

Civil engineering has been a helpful tool in structuring and edifying our society. As technology continues to evolve, there’s a great need for structural development thus a continuous demand for civil engineers.

According to BLS, the employment rate for civil engineers will grow by 7% over the next decade. More facilities will be built and renovations and repairs will also be conducted in line with advancements.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Are civil engineering jobs high in demand?

As the world evolves technologically, there's a need for structural advancement. According to BLS, the demand for civil engineers will increase by 7% over the next decade. This means that civil engineering jobs are high in demand.

Is it a good paying career?

Of course. Civil engineering is one of the oldest careers and it has impacted our society and the world at large. As a civil engineer, you are privileged to be a tool of impact on your society. And it's a good earning profession irrespective of your specialization.

How much do civil engineers earn

Civil engineering is one of the top-paying professions. An estimated annual salary of a civil engineer is $112,860.

What's the difference between civil engineering and architecture

Although they have the same objectives. Architects design the structures while civil engineers are responsible for overseeing the start-up and completion of these structures.

Conclusion

Civil engineering jobs are highly paid jobs and interesting ones too. Though civil engineering job requires a lot of experience but are not impossible to get. I’m pretty sure you must have learned a lot about your area of specialization and how to get a civil engineering job from this article.