How long does it take to become a civil engineer?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do civil engineers make?

The US median is $100,840 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a civil engineer?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a civil engineer?

311 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

🎓 My University View

Home › Careers › Civil engineers

How to become a civil engineer

Engineering & architecture · SOC 17-2051

$100,840US median pay, 2025

+6.4%Projected growth, 2025–35

22,700Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work as a civil engineer

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Civil Engineering, General	CIP 14.0801	298
Construction Engineering	CIP 14.3301	48
Structural Engineering	CIP 14.0803	21
Transportation and Highway Engineering	CIP 14.0804	12
Water Resources Engineering	CIP 14.0805	12
Civil Engineering, Other	CIP 14.0899	12
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering	CIP 14.0802	6

See the 311 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a civil engineer?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do civil engineers make?: The US median is $100,840 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a civil engineer?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a civil engineer?: 311 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

Related careers in Engineering & architecture

Industrial engineers · Mechanical engineers · Electrical engineers · Architectural and civil drafters · Engineers, all other · Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians · Architects, except landscape and naval · Surveying and mapping technicians