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Engineering consulting
AECOM, Jacobs, Stantec
Civil Engineers
Civil engineers in this niche design the systems that move, treat, store, and discharge water safely, from lift stations and treatment plants to distribution and runoff networks. The work is distinct because every design has to balance public health, environmental rules, and real-world site constraints, so the main tradeoff is between what would be ideal on paper and what can actually be built, permitted, and maintained.
Also known as Civil EngineerCivil Design EngineerProject Civil EngineerMunicipal Civil EngineerWater/Wastewater Engineer
Median Salary
$99,590
Mean $107,050
U.S. Workforce
~355K
23.6K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+5%
368.9K to 387.5K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Civil Engineers sits in the Science category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~355K workers, with a median annual pay of $99,590 and roughly 23.6K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 368.9 K in 2024 to 387.5K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Civil Engineering Intern and can progress toward Principal Engineer or Engineering Manager. High-value skills usually include Water and Wastewater Treatment Design, AutoCAD Civil 3D & Drafting, and Hydraulic Modeling (EPA SWMM, HEC-RAS), paired with soft skills such as Critical thinking, Active listening, and Complex problem solving.
Core Responsibilities
- Choose the right treatment approach for wastewater or industrial water based on site needs and regulations.
- Design treatment plants, pump stations, and control buildings so they can handle the expected flow safely and reliably.
- Pick equipment such as pumps, membranes, and disinfection systems that will meet performance and compliance targets.
- Plan how sludge will be handled, treated, stored, or disposed of without creating health or environmental problems.
Keep exploring: more Science careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Choose the right treatment approach for wastewater or industrial water based on site needs and regulations.
02 Design treatment plants, pump stations, and control buildings so they can handle the expected flow safely and reliably.
03 Pick equipment such as pumps, membranes, and disinfection systems that will meet performance and compliance targets.
04 Plan how sludge will be handled, treated, stored, or disposed of without creating health or environmental problems.
05 Lay out water supply, distribution, drainage, and runoff networks so water moves where it is needed.
06 Review drawings, calculations, and project details to make sure they meet government standards and fit the rest of the project.
Industries That Hire
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Heavy civil construction
Kiewit, Bechtel, Fluor
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Water utilities and public agencies
American Water, Veolia, DC Water
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Water technology and equipment
Xylem, Pentair, Evoqua
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Industrial manufacturing
Dow, ExxonMobil, Chevron
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a bachelor's-level job, with a mean salary of $107,050 and a median of $99,590.
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There are steady hiring opportunities, with 23.6 thousand annual openings projected.
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You can enter the field with a bachelor's degree and no required work experience or on-the-job training.
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The work is concrete and visible: you help design systems that deliver clean water and protect communities from wastewater and flooding.
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You can build a long career in consulting, utilities, construction, or industrial facilities without changing fields.
Challenges
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Growth is only 5% through 2034, so this is a stable field rather than a fast-expanding one.
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The job is heavily tied to codes, permits, and compliance checks, which can slow projects and create a lot of paperwork.
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Remote work is limited because projects often require site visits, field measurements, and coordination with crews or plant operators.
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The education bar is high: most workers have a bachelor's degree, and a sizable share go on to graduate study, which can add time and cost.
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Career progress can depend on licensure, project budgets, and public funding cycles, so advancement is not always under the engineer's control.
Career Progression
Civil Engineering Intern
0-2 years
$50K-$59K
Learns the basics by helping with drawings, calculations, field notes, and revisions under close supervision.
Engineer-in-Training
2-5 years
$60K-$79K
Handles smaller design tasks, supports permit documents, and starts owning parts of water or drainage projects.
Civil Engineer THIS ROLE
5-10 years
$80K-$109K
Leads design work for treatment systems, pipelines, lift stations, and runoff networks while coordinating with clients and regulators.
Senior Civil Engineer
10-15 years
$110K-$139K
Reviews complex plans, solves technical problems, and often mentors junior engineers or leads a project team.
Principal Engineer or Engineering Manager
15+ years
$140K-$180K
Sets technical direction, manages major clients or programs, and takes responsibility for high-stakes infrastructure decisions.
Education Paths
Bachelor's degree in civil engineering
The standard entry point, held by 77.52% of workers in this role.
Master's degree in civil or environmental engineering
A common upgrade for design-heavy or water-focused work, held by 13.39% of workers in this role.
Post-baccalaureate certificate in water resources, CAD, or construction management
An alternative route used by 4.62% of workers in this role.
Bachelor's degree plus Engineer-in-Training (EIT) / FE exam
A realistic credential path for getting started in the field, especially for graduates who want to move toward licensure.
Key Skills
Technical
Water and Wastewater Treatment Design 79%
AutoCAD Civil 3D & Drafting 78%
Hydraulic Modeling (EPA SWMM, HEC-RAS) 78%
Civil Codes, Permitting & Compliance Review 77%
GIS, Survey Data & Site Plans 76%
Project Scheduling (Primavera P6, Microsoft Project) 76%
Soft Skills
Critical thinkingActive listeningComplex problem solvingClear speaking with clients and regulatorsTime managementTeam collaboration Job Outlook and Trends
+5%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
23.6K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 368.9K to 387.5 K over the next decade, representing 5% growth. Around 23.6 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Limited. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.