by our College Data Analytics TeamTake a moment to look around you to observe buildings, roads, bridges and other impressive structures. Civil Engineering Technicians get to have a hand in producing these magnificent structures that make our modern life possible. A major in Civil Engineering Technology trains students to apply technical skills and engineering principles to aid civil engineers in the development of tunnels, bridges, highways, and other projects. This program will teach students aspects of construction, drafting projects, test equipment operation and maintenance, design work, and surveying.
While there is a major focus on engineering and construction course, students are also exposed to classes such as engineering economics, environmental awareness, statics, and geology and geophysics for engineers.
This major is available as either a Bachelor's degree or Associates. Those who pursue a Bachelors will typically have greater job opportunities and higher earnings, as well as have the opportunity to design or manage projects, rather than simply assisting. Those completing an Associate's Degree may need more experience or on-the-job training in order to qualify for positions.
In 2020-2021, civil engineering technology was the 237th most popular major nationwide with 1,187 degrees awarded. This represents a 13.2% reduction in civil engineering tech degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 1,344.
Our 2023 Best Civil Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes 43 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for civil engineering technology students. Explore this or one of our many other custom civil engineering tech rankings further below.
Students interested in the field of Civil Engineering Technology should have strong math and science skills. Civil Engineering Technicians are creative problem solvers and enjoy a hands-on approach to learning and working. Patience and persistence are valuable personality traits when working long hours on big projects. However, you must also have the ability to anticipate complications and make quick decisions.
In order to prepare for this major, students are encouraged to take courses focusing on mathematics and science. These courses might include physics, calculus and chemistry. If you are interested in perusing a career in this field it is valuable to gain work experience or participate in an internship or apprenticeship.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most civil engineering tech degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific civil engineering tech careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Civil Engineering Tech degree levels vary. Civil Engineering Technology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest civil engineering tech degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a civil engineering tech degree varies depending on the program.
| 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 |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to civil engineering tech, with approximately 21.2% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for civil engineering tech workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 29.8% |
| Some College Courses | 28.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 21.2% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 18.3% |
| High School Diploma | 2.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in civil engineering technology careers have.
This of course varies depending on which civil engineering tech career you choose.
A Civil Engineering Technician assists the Civil Engineer by helping to plan and draft projects. Most work is primarily done in the office; however there are some on-sight visits when construction is taking place. Technicians commonly examine construction sites, draft plans, and create reports. The need to repair and rebuild existing structures, as well as create new ones is in high demand.
Want a job when you graduate with your civil engineering tech degree? Civil Engineering Technology careers are expected to grow 8.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to civil engineering technology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technicians | 81,100 | 8.9% |
Recently graduated civil engineering technology students earned an average of $54,421 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $41,783 to as high as $62,814. As you might expect, salaries for civil engineering tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for civil engineering technology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers civil engineering tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technicians | $54,670 |
With over 217 different civil 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 civil engineering tech school rankings to help you with this.
Civil 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 |
