by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you ever wonder how skyscrapers are constructed? Or how buildings are able to withstand major storms and hold massive amounts of weight? A major in Construction Engineering Technology will show you how to use basic engineering standards and technical skills in order to assist engineers and professionals in planning the construction of structures and other buildings. Students studying Construction Engineering Technology will learn how to read blueprints, gain knowledge of construction fundamentals and safety regulations, understand land and environmental concerns, and learn how to supervise teams.
While studying this major, your course load will include Construction materials and systems, Electrical systems, Reinforced concrete design, and Computer-integrated construction. These classes will enhance your knowledge of this field. This major is offered as an Associate's Degree, but in some schools be found as a Bachelors.
In 2020-2021, construction engineering technology was the 147th most popular major nationwide with 4,330 degrees awarded. This represents a 2.4% increase in construction engineering tech degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 4,225.
This year's Best Construction Engineering Technology Schools ranking compares 69 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom construction engineering tech rankings further below.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in construction engineering technology is using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Required skills include understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific construction engineering tech careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different construction engineering tech degree levels. Construction Engineering Technology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest construction engineering tech degree you can get. The type of construction engineering tech degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to construction engineering tech, with approximately 52.7% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to construction engineering tech tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 47.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 16.6% |
| Some College Courses | 15.8% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 11.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 6.0% |
60.1% of construction engineering tech workers have at least a bachelor's. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in construction engineering technology careers have.
This of course varies depending on which construction engineering tech career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your construction engineering tech degree? Construction Engineering Technology careers are expected to grow 10.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to construction engineering technology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Managers | 448,600 | 11.1% |
| Cost Estimators | 240,800 | 10.5% |
| Civil Engineering Technicians | 81,100 | 8.9% |
Recently graduated construction engineering technology students earned an average of $62,452 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $28,784 to as high as $83,666. As you might expect, salaries for construction engineering tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for construction engineering technology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers construction engineering tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Construction Managers | $103,110 |
| Cost Estimators | $69,710 |
| Civil Engineering Technicians | $54,670 |
With over 237 different construction engineering tech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased construction engineering tech school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Construction Engineering Technology that might interest you.
Construction Engineering Technology is one of 18 different types of Engineering Technologies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technology | 11,906 |
| Electromechanical Engineering Technology | 10,593 |
| Drafting & Design Engineering Technology | 8,964 |
| Environmental Control Technology | 8,690 |
| Electronics Engineering Technology | 8,592 |
