Civil engineers oversee the design, construction, and maintenance of public and private infrastructure projects, such as roads, tunnels, and water treatment facilities. A growing population coupled with the need to replace or repair outdated bridges, levees, and other aging structures, may contribute to an increase in the demand for trained civil engineering professionals in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for civil engineers to grow by 11% through 2026, significantly faster than the national average.To take advantage of these new job opportunities, you need at least a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, civil engineering technology, or a closely related field. Specialized and managerial positions may require a master's degree, state-level licensure, and professional certification in fields like coastal engineering or geotechnical engineering. In some cases, an associate degree may prepare you for entry-level and support roles, such as civil engineering technician.This page offers an overview of online civil engineering degrees, including information on degree levels, licensure requirements, possible career paths, and salary expectations. It concludes with a list of helpful resources for civil engineering students and professionals.[directory_links]
Why Earn a Civil Engineering Degree Online?
Earning your bachelor's or master's in civil engineering online offers a variety of benefits. Online programs often allow students to watch lectures and complete assignments on their own schedule, making it easier to balance your studies with a full-time job or family responsibilities. Distance education also provides students with more school options than their local community, making it easier to find a program aligned with your needs.
- AccessibilityAsynchronous programs allow you to study at any time and from any location with an internet connection. This convenience appeals to students balancing school with work and family obligations. Some synchronous online programs may require students to log in to a virtual classroom at set times each week.
- FlexibilityMany programs feature multiple start dates throughout the year, meaning you can enroll in classes during a quieter time at work or when you have access to childcare services. In self-paced online programs, students may advance through their coursework as soon as they demonstrate mastery of the material.
- School OptionsOnline learning enables students to enroll in civil engineering programs anywhere in the country. In addition to providing access to less expensive options, distance education allows you to pursue more specialized courses of study.
- DiversityBecause online programs draw applicants from around the world, they tend to attract a diverse student population. This diversity introduces you to new ideas and approaches in the classroom and helps you build a broader professional network.
- TechnologyDistance education programs introduce students to learning technologies that can benefit them throughout their career. For instance, if you work on a transnational infrastructure project, you may use online collaboration tools that you encountered during your studies, like wikis and shared design spaces, to coordinate the work of engineers from multiple countries.
Types of Civil Engineering Degrees
While an associate degree may qualify you for some entry-level roles, most civil engineering jobs require at least a bachelor's degree. Continuing your education at the graduate-level often provides additional professional opportunities and increases your earning power.According to the BLS, civil engineers earned a median salary of $84,770 in 2017. That year, architectural and engineering managers, most of whom hold a master's in engineering management or business administration, earned a median salary of $137,720.Median Salary by Degree LevelAssociate Degree in Civil Engineering$55,000Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering$68,000Master's Degree in Civil Engineering$71,000
Civil Engineering Licenses and Certifications
You do not need a license to work in entry-level roles, such as civil engineering technician or drafter. If you aspire to supervise the work of other engineers, approve design plans, or provide engineering services directly to the public, you must seek a license as a professional engineer (PE).Licensure requirements vary by state. Most state boards of engineering require PE candidates to hold at least a bachelor's degree from a school accredited by ABET, formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. After meeting academic requirements, candidates must pass a fundamentals of engineering exam to become an engineer-in-training (EIT) or an engineering intern (EI). EITs and EIs must work for four years under a fully licensed engineer to qualify for the principles and practice of engineering exam. After passing this exam, candidates earn their PE license. Some states require continuing education to retain licensure.In addition to seeking a formal license, some engineers complete voluntary certification programs to demonstrate skills in a specialty, such as coastal engineering or sustainability. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) serves as one of the leading providers of professional certifications. Most of the credentials offered by ASCE require a master's degree and at least eight years of relevant experience.
What Can You Do With a Civil Engineering Degree?
An online civil engineering degree provides many professional opportunities. With an associate or bachelor's degree, you can take entry-level roles, such as surveyor or construction manager. As a fully licensed civil engineer, you may specialize in fields like transportation or structural engineering. While the majority of civil engineers work for private firms, roughly 25% work for local, state, and federal government agencies.Regardless of the path you choose, careers in civil engineering require exceptional math, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Civil Engineering Salaries by Position
Job TitleMinimum Degree RequiredDescriptionMedian Annual SalaryCivil Engineering TechnicianAssociateCivil engineering technicians provide assistance to civil engineers as they design, construct, and upgrade infrastructures. Technicians may use computer software to design building plans, collect soil or water samples for analysis, or maintain project files and records. These professionals work under the instruction of a licensed engineer.$51,620Civil EngineerBachelor'sCivil engineers oversee infrastructure projects in the public and private sectors. They may design the layout of an airport, supervise the maintenance of a stretch of highway, or author a report about how a municipality can improve its water quality. In addition to a bachelor's degree, civil engineers who take leadership roles or provide services directly to the public must hold state-level licensure.$84,770SurveyorBachelor'sUsing global positioning technology and geographic information systems, surveyors measure the boundaries of properties and provide data for engineering and construction projects. Earning a bachelor's degree qualifies you for entry-level roles in surveying, though certifying public legal documents and providing surveying services to the public requires formal licensure.$61,140Transportation EngineerBachelor'sTransportation engineers specialize in the construction and upkeep of roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, and other projects related to transportation. Some engineers focus on the design of seaports or airports. Transportation engineers must hold a bachelor's degree and a license to perform certain supervisory functions.$65,337Structural EngineerBachelor'sStructural engineers design the internal elements of buildings and machines. For example, a structural engineer may employ their expertise in the strength and flexibility of materials, like steel and glass, to create plans for a skyscraper. Structural engineers in the aerospace industry may design spacecraft, missiles, and civilian passenger planes.$66,730Civil Engineering SupervisorBachelor'sCivil engineering supervisors direct the efforts of the engineers, engineering technicians, and construction crews working underneath them. Employers may prefer to hire supervisor candidates with a master's degree or graduate-level coursework in engineering management and business administration.$94,689Project Manager, EngineeringBachelor'sProject managers typically serve as a liaison between a chief civil engineer supervisor and engineering teams and ground crews, providing day-to-day oversight and reporting major issues to senior managers. These individuals need a PE license.$89,576According to the BLS, civil engineers earned a median salary of $84,770 in 2017. The bottom 10% of earners made less than $54,150 that year, while the top 10% commanded salaries in excess of $138,110.While a graduate degree may improve your job prospects, civil engineers with just a bachelor's degree and many years of professional experience can still earn significantly more than the national average. The table below illustrates how earning power for civil engineers correlates with years of experience in the industry.Salaries for Civil Engineers by ExperienceJob TitleEntry LevelMid-CareerExperiencedLate-CareerCivil Engineer$59,000$72,000$84,000$96,000
Where Do Civil Engineers Work?
Roughly half of all civil engineers work for engineering firms that provide services to private businesses and government agencies on a contract basis. Another 25% of civil engineers in the United States work for the local, state, or federal government.On average, federal employment offers the highest salaries, owing to the responsibility of overseeing critical, large-scale projects, like interstate bridge construction and regional power grid design. According to the BLS, civil engineers working for the federal government earned a median salary of $93,820 in 2017. Engineering jobs in local government also pay well, as city and county engineers earned just over $90,000 that year.Civil engineering often requires long hours and extensive travel. About 30% of civil engineers report working more than 40 hours per week, and many routinely visit construction sites to monitor operations and solve problems. Civil engineers may also need to temporarily relocate to live closer to project sites. Engineering professionals who work in a regulatory or design capacity may work more exclusively in an office setting.The table below details some of the top-paying locations for civil engineers in the United States, with Alaska offering the highest wages and California the greatest number of professional opportunities.Top-Paying Locations for Civil EngineersState/AreaEmploymentAnnual Mean WageAlaska1,150$122,760California42,900$107,710New Jersey7,500$102,170Texas27,000$100,370District of Columbia1,150$99,680
Online Civil Engineering Degree in Action
Meet Our Expert: Michael Schneider
Civil EngineerMichael earned his bachelor of science in civil engineering in 1976 from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He worked as an engineer for the federal government from June 1976 January 2008 and is now living in Texas.
Resources for Civil Engineering Students
Professional Civil Engineering Organizations
Civil engineering students and graduates benefit from professional organizations. These groups provide scholarships, offer continuing education and professional certification opportunities, organize regional and national networking events, and advertise job opportunities across the country. Some also host mentoring programs, allowing recent graduates to tap into the expertise and connections of established civil engineering professionals.
- American Society of Civil Engineers: ASCE represents more than 150,000 civil engineers around the globe. Members can attend research conferences, seek certification in one of seven professional areas, and review technical reports on subjects like forensic engineering and infrastructure resilience.
- American Society for Engineering Education: Since 1893, ASEE has worked to advance innovation and excellence within engineering education. The group hosts an annual conference, provides scholarships and research fellowships to engineering students and professionals, and publishes a scholarly journal.
- International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering: IABSE aims to enhance the practice of structural engineering through research, education, and international collaboration. In addition to hosting events and disseminating research through publications, the association offers an eNewsletter that updates members on new developments and job opportunities.
- American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists: AAEES serves engineers and scientists working to protect human health and natural ecosystems. Along with free online training webinars and specialty certification programs, the academy also supports student chapters and awards exemplary service to the field.
- Institute of Transportation Engineers: ITE provides transportation professionals with knowledge, skills, and resources to better serve communities. The institute's career development center, for example, offers webinars, podcasts, professional certification, and a job board.