Civil Engineering Technician: Job Description, Pay & Outlook

What does a civil engineering technician do?

Civil engineering technologists and technicians help civil engineers plan, design and build highways, bridges, utilities and other infrastructure, and test construction materials. The median pay is $64,950 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2 years, and employment is projected to grow +3.2% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$64,950
$31.23/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+3.2%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
6,100
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
2 years
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
70,900
Employment, 2025

What civil engineering technicians do

Civil engineering technicians support the people who build infrastructure. They draft plans in CAD, estimate quantities and costs, inspect construction, test soil, concrete and asphalt, collect field data and help engineers check that projects meet specifications. They work for engineering firms, contractors, testing labs and government agencies.

Most have an associate degree in civil engineering technology. Certifications from NICET and ACI help, and the work offers a mix of office and field time.

Typical duties

Draft plans and drawings
Estimate quantities and costs
Test soil, concrete and asphalt
Inspect construction sites
Collect and analyze field data
Help engineers check designs
Write reports

Work environment and schedule

Technicians split time between offices and construction sites, in all weather.

Schedule: Most work full-time; construction season can bring early starts and overtime.

A day in the life

7:00 AMDrive to a bridge construction site.
7:30 AMTest fresh concrete for slump and air content.
9:00 AMCast concrete cylinders for strength tests.
11:00 AMCheck soil compaction with a nuclear gauge.

See a full day in the life of a civil engineering technician →

Civil Engineering Technician salary

Half of civil engineering technicians earned more than $64,950 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $44,220 for the lowest 10% to $98,980 for the top 10%.

$44,22010th$64,950Median$98,98090th

Full civil engineering technician pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a civil engineering technician

Take math and drafting
Earn an associate degree
Get hired
Earn certifications
Advance

An associate degree in civil engineering technology is typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a civil engineering technician →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

CAD drafting
Materials testing
Construction inspection
Quantity estimating
Plan reading

People skills

Attention to detail
Communication
Teamwork
Reliability

All civil engineering technician skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Two-year path into engineering
Mix of office and field work
Build lasting infrastructure
Infrastructure funding supports demand

Cons

Weather and site conditions
Early starts in construction season
Pay lower than engineers
Repetitive testing

Certifications and licenses

NICET certification: National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies.
ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician: Concrete testing credential.
Nuclear gauge safety certification: Required for density gauges.
State DOT technician certifications: Required on many public projects.

Career path

Engineering Technician: Draft and test.
Senior Technician: Lead tasks.
Project Technician or Inspector: Manage field work.
Civil Engineer: With a degree and PE.

Learn the job before day one

Our Civil Engineering Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run a concrete slump test and do a quantity takeoff, safety and how to land your first job.

View Civil Engineering Technician training Is this career right for me?

Civil Engineer

Design and build roads, bridges, water systems and the infrastructure we rely on.

$100,840
4 years + PE path

CAD Drafter

Turn engineers’ and architects’ designs into detailed technical drawings.

$66,150
1–2 years

Construction and Building Inspector

Inspect buildings and construction to make sure they meet codes and approved plans.

$74,690
Several years of trade experience + certification

Surveying Technician

Collect measurements in the field and help surveyors map land.

$54,240
1–12 months

Compare: Civil Engineering Tech vs. Civil Engineer · Civil Engineering Tech vs. CAD Drafter · Civil Engineering Tech vs. Building Inspector · Civil Engineering Tech vs. Surveying Technician

Civil Engineering Technician FAQ

Do civil engineering techs need a degree?

An associate degree is typical.

Do they work outdoors?

Often, at construction sites.

Can techs become engineers?

Yes, with a bachelor’s degree and licensure.

How much does a civil engineering technician make?

The median annual wage for civil engineering technicians was $64,950 ($31.23 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $44,220 and the highest 10% earned more than $98,980.

How long does it take to become a civil engineering technician?

Most people need about 2 years of training. An associate degree in civil engineering technology is typical.

Do you need a degree to be a civil engineering technician?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education.

More civil engineering technician questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 17-3022 (Civil engineering technologists and technicians).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Civil engineering technologists and technicians (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Civil Engineering Technician