by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 120 U.S. colleges awarded 1,293 degrees and certificates in Civil Engineering Technology. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 53% of graduates. College Factual ranks 43 schools in its 2027 Best Civil Engineering Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $61,601 one year after completing, rising to $75,067 after four years.
Take 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.
A degree in Civil Engineering Technology explores Civil Engineering Technologies/technicians.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, civil engineering technology draws strong interest, with 1,293 degrees awarded annually. 120 colleges award civil engineering technology degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 83.
By level, the 1,293 awards include 107 certificates, 686 associate degrees, 232 bachelor’s degrees and 262 master’s degrees.
Women earned 18% of civil engineering technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (237 of 1,293). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (833) and Hispanic or Latino (192), and international students earned 30.
College Factual ranks 43 schools in its 2027 Best Civil Engineering Technology Schools ranking, including 25 for associate degrees and 10 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks civil engineering technology schools within 12 states. In all, 120 colleges offer civil engineering technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Civil Engineering Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common civil engineering technology credential is the associate degree: 686 of the 1,293 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to civil engineering technology call most for Active Listening, Critical Thinking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, Engineering and Technology and Transportation, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Problem Sensitivity.
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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a civil engineering technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 107 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 686 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 232 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 262 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to civil engineering technology, at 32.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 32.8% |
| Some college courses | 24.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 14.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 14.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Civil Engineering Technology, with an average median salary of $75,174; the strongest outlook belongs to Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians, at 11.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Traffic Technician, Transportation Operations Specialist (Transportation Ops Specialist), Radar Signal Processing Engineers and Traffic Analyst.
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.
The occupation related to civil engineering technology with the most projected jobs is Traffic Technicians, at 767,409.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Technicians | 767,409 | 9.7% |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 261,905 | 11.0% |
Civil Engineering Technology graduates earn a median $61,601 one year after completing their program, $75,067 after four years and $72,835 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $61,601 |
| 4 years | $75,067 |
| 5 years | $72,835 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to civil engineering technology, with a median salary of $86,216.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,216 |
| Traffic Technicians | $64,132 |
Civil Engineering Technology includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (1,293). It has 18 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 97,754 degrees a year; the largest are Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (13,228), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (12,892) and Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (12,771). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 1,293 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
