# Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

> Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/civil-engineering-technologists-and-technicians
- SOC code: 17-3022.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $64,950 (10th percentile $44,220, 90th percentile $98,980)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +3.2%
- Openings a year: 6,100
- Typical entry education: Associate's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RIC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 79 |
| Investigative (I) | 73 |
| Artistic (A) | 31 |
| Social (S) | 9 |
| Enterprising (E) | 17 |
| Conventional (C) | 71 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 87/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 86/100)
- Processing Information (importance 83/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 80/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 78/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 78/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 75/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 71/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 70/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 70/100)

## Skills

Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, Speaking, Monitoring, Writing, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination

## Knowledge

Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, Building and Construction, Design, Administrative, Administration and Management, Computers and Electronics, Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Mechanical

## Also called

Bridge Construction Inspector, CADD Technician (Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Technician), Civil Designer, Civil Engineer Helper, Civil Engineer's Aide, Civil Engineering Assistant, Civil Engineering Technician, Civil Engineering Technologist, Civil Technician (Civil Tech), Concrete Engineering Technician

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4604) (CIP 4604, 319 colleges)
- [Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1500) (CIP 1500, 288 colleges)
- [Construction Engineering Technology/Technician](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1510) (CIP 1510, 178 colleges)
- [Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1502) (CIP 1502, 160 colleges)
- [Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1501) (CIP 1501, 99 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Florida](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-florida-2910) | Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $81,437 | $109,139 | $14,828 |
| [Arizona State University Campus Immersion](https://www.collegesref.com/college/arizona-state-university-campus-immersion-101) | Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $81,853 | $107,880 | $17,250 |
| [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona-362) | Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $85,694 | $105,812 | $20,014 |
| [California State University-Long Beach](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-long-beach-371) | Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $86,701 | $103,125 | $17,513 |
| [Texas A & M University-College Station](https://www.collegesref.com/college/texas-a-m-university-college-station-2694) | Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $80,359 | $101,540 | $18,500 |
| [San Diego State University SDSU](https://www.collegesref.com/college/san-diego-state-university-sdsu-2345) | Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $89,358 | $100,564 | not reported |
| [Texas State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/texas-state-university-2709) | Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $79,485 | $100,352 | $21,300 |
| [Florida International University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/florida-international-university-978) | Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $77,944 | $99,471 | $16,500 |

## Related careers

- [Architectural and Civil Drafters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/architectural-and-civil-drafters): $66,150 median pay
- [Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $74,510 median pay
- [Construction Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/construction-managers): $114,990 median pay
- [Construction and Building Inspectors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/construction-and-building-inspectors): $74,690 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronics Drafters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronics-drafters): $76,870 median pay
- [Mechanical Drafters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-drafters): $71,550 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.