by our College Data Analytics TeamTake a moment to look around you to observe buildings, roads, bridges and other impressive structures. Civil Engineering Technicians get to have a hand in producing these magnificent structures that make our modern life possible. A major in Civil Engineering Technology trains students to apply technical skills and engineering principles to aid civil engineers in the development of tunnels, bridges, highways, and other projects. This program will teach students aspects of construction, drafting projects, test equipment operation and maintenance, design work, and surveying.
While there is a major focus on engineering and construction course, students are also exposed to classes such as engineering economics, environmental awareness, statics, and geology and geophysics for engineers.
This major is available as either a Bachelor's degree or Associates. Those who pursue a Bachelors will typically have greater job opportunities and higher earnings, as well as have the opportunity to design or manage projects, rather than simply assisting. Those completing an Associate's Degree may need more experience or on-the-job training in order to qualify for positions.
A degree in Civil Engineering Technology explores Civil Engineering Technologies/technicians. Continue reading for the important information every civil engineering technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering civil engineering technology programs.
Nationwide, civil engineering technology draws strong interest, with 1,132 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Civil Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 118 schools to determine the best overall colleges for civil engineering technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of civil engineering technology programs later in this article.
Programs in Civil Engineering Technology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations civil engineering technology graduates commonly enter.
Students interested in the field of Civil Engineering Technology should have strong math and science skills. Civil Engineering Technicians are creative problem solvers and enjoy a hands-on approach to learning and working. Patience and persistence are valuable personality traits when working long hours on big projects. However, you must also have the ability to anticipate complications and make quick decisions.
In order to prepare for this major, students are encouraged to take courses focusing on mathematics and science. These courses might include physics, calculus and chemistry. If you are interested in perusing a career in this field it is valuable to gain work experience or participate in an internship or apprenticeship.
Skills developed in a civil engineering technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a civil engineering technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several civil engineering technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 71 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 622 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 267 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 169 |
People currently working in careers related to civil engineering technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 32.8% |
| Some college courses | 24.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 14.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 14.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in civil engineering technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A Civil Engineering Technician assists the Civil Engineer by helping to plan and draft projects. Most work is primarily done in the office; however there are some on-sight visits when construction is taking place. Technicians commonly examine construction sites, draft plans, and create reports. The need to repair and rebuild existing structures, as well as create new ones is in high demand.
Studying civil engineering technology prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to civil engineering technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to civil engineering technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Technicians | 767,409 | 9.7% |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 261,905 | 11.0% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of civil engineering technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $61,601 |
| 4 years | $68,104 |
| 5 years | $73,200 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for civil engineering technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers civil engineering technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,216 |
| Traffic Technicians | $64,132 |
With 118 different civil engineering technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased civil engineering technology school rankings to help you.
Those considering civil engineering technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 1,132 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
