Civil engineer
Civil engineers plan, design and oversee the building and upkeep of roads, bridges, railways, tunnels, water systems, dams and large buildings.
What can you do with a civil engineering degree?
Also called: Civil and structural engineering · Civil and environmental engineering · Structural engineering · Construction engineering
Updated How we use data
Quick answer
A civil engineering degree teaches how to design, build and maintain the structures and systems that communities depend on, such as roads, bridges, railways, buildings, water supply and flood defences. Most graduates become civil engineers, while others work in construction management, environmental engineering, quantity surveying, urban planning and project management.
Careers with a civil engineering degree
Most graduates become civil engineers working for engineering consultancies, construction contractors, governments and organisations that own infrastructure. Some specialise in structures, transport, water or geotechnics, while others become environmental engineers working on water treatment and flood protection. The degree also leads to construction management, quantity surveying and project management, and some graduates move into urban planning. Less obvious options include disaster risk reduction, humanitarian engineering, insurance risk assessment and renewable energy projects.
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Construction manager
Construction managers plan, coordinate and oversee building and infrastructure projects, managing workers, subcontractors, budgets, schedules, quality and safety on site.
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Environmental engineer
Environmental engineers design systems that protect people and nature from pollution, such as drinking water and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, waste and recycling facilities, and the clean-up of contaminated land.
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Quantity surveyor
Quantity surveyors manage the costs of construction projects for clients or contractors, from early estimates to the final account.
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Urban planner
Urban planners decide how land in cities, towns and regions should be used, balancing housing, transport, jobs, public services and the environment.
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Project manager
Project managers plan, organise and lead projects so they are finished on time, within budget and to the agreed standard.
Other roles graduates go into: Structural engineer · Geotechnical engineer · Transport engineer · Site engineer · Water resources engineer · Building surveyor
What you study and the skills you gain
Typical topics
- Structural analysis and design
- Geotechnical engineering and soil mechanics
- Fluid mechanics and hydraulics
- Transport engineering
- Construction materials, including concrete and steel
- Water and environmental engineering
- Surveying and construction management
- Engineering mathematics and computer-aided design
Skills you gain
- Applying mathematics and physics to real structures
- Using design and modelling software
- Assessing risk and working to safety codes
- Managing budgets, schedules and contractors
- Working in teams with architects, planners and other engineers
- Explaining technical plans to clients and the public
How the degree differs around the world
In the United States and Canada, it is usually a four-year accredited degree, followed by supervised work experience and exams to become a licensed professional engineer. In the UK, students take a three- or four-year bachelor's or a slightly longer integrated master's, then work towards chartered status. Much of Europe uses a three-year bachelor's and two-year master's, and in parts of Latin America and Asia the degree can take five years. Entry needs strong mathematics and usually physics. In many countries, only licensed or registered engineers can approve designs that affect public safety, so check the national regulator.
How do civil engineering graduates do?
Earnings and employment by country
The OECD compares graduates by field of study. This subject falls under “Engineering, manufacturing and construction”. The first column compares the median earnings of tertiary-educated adults in this field with all tertiary-educated adults (100 = average).
| Country | Earnings index (all graduates = 100) | Employment rate, this field | Employment rate, all graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 122 (2023) | 87.7% (2017) | 84.3% |
| United Kingdom | 122 (2020) | 86.8% (2021) | 84.6% |
| Germany | 120 (2020) | 90.2% (2024) | 88.7% |
| Chile | 120 (2023) | 85.0% (2022) | 85.7% |
| Norway | 119 (2023) | 91.9% (2024) | 89.3% |
| Finland | 116 (2022) | 89.7% (2024) | 88.8% |
| Sweden | 112 (2023) | 91.6% (2024) | 89.6% |
| Australia | 110 (2020) | 90.7% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Denmark | 110 (2023) | 90.0% (2021) | 87.8% |
| South Korea | 110 (2023) | — | — |
| Canada | 109 (2020) | 82.6% (2021) | 80.4% |
| Portugal | 108 (2020) | 92.1% (2024) | 90.7% |
| Romania | 106 (2023) | 90.4% (2024) | 91.5% |
| Mexico | 106 (2023) | 84.6% (2024) | 81.5% |
| Latvia | 105 (2023) | 89.3% (2024) | 87.7% |
| Slovenia | 104 (2020) | 93.6% (2024) | 90.8% |
| Austria | 100 (2023) | 87.7% (2024) | 86.4% |
| Costa Rica | 100 (2023) | 83.2% (2024) | 79.2% |
| Switzerland | 98 (2023) | 92.7% (2024) | 89.5% |
| Luxembourg | 97 (2023) | 80.1% (2024) | 85.7% |
| Estonia | 95 (2023) | 89.6% (2024) | 89.2% |
| Ireland | — | 94.7% (2021) | 86.9% |
| Poland | — | 94.0% (2024) | 91.6% |
| Czechia | — | 93.3% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Belgium | — | 92.9% (2024) | 88.5% |
| Iceland | — | 92.9% (2016) | 93.6% |
| Croatia | — | 92.0% (2024) | 89.7% |
| Netherlands | — | 91.5% (2024) | 90.6% |
| France | — | 91.4% (2024) | 87.3% |
| Slovakia | — | 91.4% (2024) | 90.5% |
| Italy | — | 88.5% (2024) | 84.7% |
| Lithuania | — | 88.2% (2024) | 90.4% |
| Peru | — | 87.9% (2024) | 81.7% |
| Greece | — | 87.8% (2024) | 82.3% |
| Spain | — | 86.5% (2024) | 83.9% |
| Türkiye | — | 78.4% (2016) | 72.9% |
| Hungary | — | 73.7% (2024) | 76.2% |
Source: OECD, Education at a Glance. Adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education; latest year available, full-time earners where published. Values are for the whole field of study, not this subject alone.
Graduate earnings in the UK
The UK government links tax records to university records to measure what graduates earn. These figures are for “Civil engineering” first-degree graduates who were employed in the 2023–24 tax year.
| Time since graduating | Median | Lower quartile | Upper quartile | In work or study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | £30,700 | £27,100 | £35,500 | 91.6% |
| After 3 years | £35,500 | £30,700 | £43,200 | 89.9% |
| After 5 years | £41,400 | £33,700 | £51,600 | 88.3% |
| After 10 years | £52,300 | £39,900 | £68,800 | 86.4% |
Source: UK Department for Education, Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO), tax year 2023–24. Earnings are annual and include only graduates in sustained employment. More UK detail on CourseToJob.co.uk
Is a civil engineering degree right for you?
It may suit you if
- You want to see the results of your work in places people use every day.
- You are good at mathematics and physics and like applying them to practical problems.
- You are happy to work both in an office and on construction sites.
Think twice if
- You dislike working outdoors or on busy construction sites in all weather.
- You find mathematics and physics hard, as they are central to the degree.
- You want quick results, as large projects can take many years and involve strict rules.
Further study
Many graduates start work straight away and train on the job towards professional registration or licensing, which usually needs an accredited degree, several years of supervised experience and an assessment or exam. A master's degree is often needed in Europe and for specialist roles in structures, geotechnics, transport or water. A PhD leads to research and teaching. Short courses in project management and design software are common during a career.
Questions about studying civil engineering
What jobs can you get with a civil engineering degree?
Most graduates become civil engineers, often specialising as structural, geotechnical, transport or water engineers. Others become environmental engineers, construction managers, site engineers, quantity surveyors, project managers or urban planners. Employers include engineering consultancies, construction companies and governments, and some graduates work abroad on large international projects or in humanitarian engineering.
Do civil engineers need a licence?
In many countries, yes, at least for senior work. In the United States and Canada, engineers who approve designs for the public must be licensed, which needs an accredited degree, work experience and exams. In the UK, chartered status is voluntary but valued by employers. Rules differ widely between countries, so check your national engineering regulator.
Is civil engineering a hard degree?
It is demanding because it uses mathematics and physics throughout, with many problem sheets, laboratory work and design projects. Many students find it more visual and practical than some other branches of engineering, which helps. Good time management matters, as group design projects often have tight deadlines.
What is the difference between civil and structural engineering?
Structural engineering is a specialist area within civil engineering. Civil engineers work on a wide range of infrastructure, including roads, water systems and ground works, while structural engineers focus on making buildings, bridges and other structures strong and stable. Most structural engineers first study civil engineering, and in some places structural engineering has its own licence.
Related subjects
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Architecture
An architecture degree teaches how to design buildings and spaces that are safe, useful and beautiful, combining creative design with technology, history and the needs of people and the environment.
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Mechanical engineering
A mechanical engineering degree teaches how to design, analyse and make machines and systems that move or use energy, from engines and robots to medical devices and power plants.
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Geology
A geology degree studies the Earth: its rocks, minerals, fossils and structure, and the processes that shape it, from volcanoes and earthquakes to groundwater and past climates.
Sources
- OECD — Education at a Glance, labour-market outcomes — Earnings and employment by field of study, adults 25–64
- UK Department for Education — Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO) — CAH CAH10-01-07 — Civil engineering
- UNESCO — ISCED-F 2013 — ISCED-F 0732
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). What can you do with a civil engineering degree? Jobs and salaries. https://coursetojob.com/subjects/civil-engineering/ (accessed September 26, 2026)