Civil Engineers

Wages
In 2015, the average annual wage in a Alabama was $72,950 with most people making betweeen $46,610 and $116,400
Wages by Industry
  • Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services $83,320.00
  • Nonresidential Building Construction $83,590.00
  • Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services $87,030.00
Education Required
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not
Common Majors
  • Civil Engineering, General
  • Construction Engineering
  • Civil Engineering, Other
  • Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Structural Engineering
  • Transportation and Highway Engineering
  • Water Resources Engineering
About the job

Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.

What you'll do
    • Analyze manufacturing processes or byproducts to identify engineering solutions to minimize the output of carbon or other pollutants.
    • Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, and other topographical or geologic data to plan projects.
    • Conduct studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify engineering problems and assess potential project impact.
    • Design energy efficient or environmentally sound civil structures.
    • Design or engineer systems to efficiently dispose of chemical, biological, or other toxic wastes.
    • Develop or implement engineering solutions to clean up industrial accidents or other contaminated sites.
    • Direct engineering activities ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
    • Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations or establish reference points, grades, or elevations to guide construction.
    • Identify environmental risks and develop risk management strategies for civil engineering projects.
    • Prepare or present public reports on topics such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, or property and right-of-way descriptions.
Things you need to know
    • Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
    • Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
    • Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
    • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
    • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Abilities you'll need to have
    • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
    • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
    • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
    • Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
    • Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
    • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
    • Active Listening - 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.