Civil Engineers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Architecture and Engineering · SOC 17-2051 · O*NET 17-2051.00
Civil Engineers fall under the Architecture and Engineering category in the U.S. occupational classification. Civil Engineers earn a median salary of $100,840 per year, ranking in the top 16% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +6.4% job growth through 2035, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What parents should know about civil engineers right now
Civil engineers design, build, and maintain the physical world around us: roads, bridges, airports, tunnels, dams, water-treatment plants, and the foundations and structural systems of buildings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 23,600 openings each year over the decade. The median annual wage for civil engineers was $99,590 in May 2024; the highest 10 percent earned more than $160,990. Entry requires a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related specialty from an ABET-accredited program. Most civil engineers pursue licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE), which requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam after graduation, accumulating about four years of supervised experience, and passing the PE exam; a PE stamp is required to sign off on plans and is essentially mandatory for promotion in most firms. The trend parents should know is that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) authorized roughly $1.2 trillion in spending through 2026, much of it directed at bridges, transit, water, and clean energy projects, fueling sustained demand for civil engineers. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) estimates the U.S. still faces a multi-trillion-dollar infrastructure investment gap, which means careers should remain stable even as funding cycles shift. Teens who enjoy building things, are strong in physics and calculus, and like seeing tangible results from their work tend to thrive; school robotics, civil engineering summer camps, and tours of construction sites are great early exposure.
What do civil engineers earn?
The median annual wage for civil engineers is $100,840. That puts civil engineers at #133 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
Is civil engineers a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for civil engineers is +6.4%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 380K positions in 2024 to 405K in 2034, a net change of 25K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.
What education does my child need to become civil engineer?
The standard path into civil engineers begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
How to become civil engineer: step by step
The typical education and licensing pathway from high school into this profession. Total time to entry is about 8+ years to PE license (4 BS + 4 experience) or 10+ with Master's. Steps marked optional are common for advancement but not required to start.
- 1
Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering
~4 yearsComplete ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. ABET accreditation is essential for PE licensure. Programs combine engineering theory, mathematics, and design coursework with lab work and senior capstone projects.
- •Calculus I, II, III
- •Differential equations
- •Physics I & II with lab
- •Chemistry with lab
- •Statics and dynamics
- •Fluid mechanics
- •Structural analysis
- •Geotechnical engineering
- •Transportation engineering
- •Environmental engineering
- •Engineering design and AutoCAD/Civil 3D
- 2
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam
The FE exam is the first step toward Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Most engineers take it during their senior year or within a year of graduation. Becoming an EIT allows you to practice engineering under a licensed PE's supervision.
- •Take FE exam before or shortly after graduation
- •Pass FE exam to become Engineer in Training (EIT)
- •6-hour computer-based exam covering:
- • - Mathematics, probability, and statistics
- • - Statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials
- • - Fluid mechanics, hydraulics
- • - Environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation engineering
FE Exam (Fundamentals of Engineering)EIT Certification (Engineer in Training) - 3
Professional Experience
~4 yearsAccumulate 4 years of qualifying engineering experience working under a licensed PE. This builds the practical knowledge and judgment needed for independent practice. Experience must be verifiable and progressive in responsibility.
- •4 years of progressive engineering experience
- •Work under supervision of licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
- •Gain experience in design, analysis, and project management
- •Document engineering work for PE application
- •Some states accept Master's degree as 1 year of experience
- 4
Professional Engineer (PE) License
The PE license is required to sign and seal engineering documents, take legal responsibility for projects, and offer services directly to the public. Essential for career advancement to senior engineering or management roles. The PE Civil exam was updated to 9 hours as of April 2024 specifications.
- •Complete 4 years of experience
- •Pass 9-hour PE exam in Civil Engineering (updated April 2024)
- •PE exam covers:
- • - Depth exam in one area (structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, or construction)
- • - Breadth covering all civil engineering areas
- •Submit professional references
- •State licensure application
- •Continuing education for license maintenance (varies by state: typically 15-30 PDH hours/year)
- •Note: 8 states have no PDH requirements (AZ, CA, CO, CT, HI, MA, RI, WA)
PE Exam (Principles and Practice of Engineering - Civil)State PE License - 5
Optional Specialization or Master's Degree
Optional~2 yearsOptional Master's degree in Civil Engineering or specialty (Structural, Geotechnical, Transportation, Environmental, Water Resources). Master's degree can count as 1 year toward PE experience requirement in some states. Recommended for specialized technical roles or research.
Related careers your child might also consider
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$99,280 median
- Agricultural Engineers$98,590 median
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians$82,890 median
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists$81,390 median
- Landscape Architects$79,870 median
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$78,350 median
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about civil engineers
What is the median salary for civil engineers?
The median annual salary for civil engineers is $100,840 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is civil engineers a growing career?
BLS projects +6.4% growth for civil engineers from 2025 through 2035, which is average growth projected to grow at roughly the US average.
What education does my child need to become civil engineer?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to civil engineers?
Related occupations within the Architecture and Engineering category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 release.