by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Civil Engineering Technology involves the study of Civil Engineering Technologies/technicians. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Civil Engineers Engaged In Designing And Executing Public Works Projects Such As Highways, Dams, Bridges, Tunnels And Other Facilities. Includes Instruction In Site Analysis, Structural Testing Procedures, Field And Laboratory Testing Procedures, Plan And Specification Preparation, Test Equipment Operation And Maintenance, And Report Preparation. Read on to learn the essential details every civil engineering technology major 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.
Coursework for Civil Engineering Technology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations civil engineering technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a civil engineering technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, 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.*
Majoring in civil engineering technology opens doors to many 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. These numbers tend to grow 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.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
