by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Construction Engineering Technology covers Construction Engineering Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers, Engineering Contractors And Other Professionals Engaged In The Construction Of Buildings And Related Structures. Includes Instruction In Basic Structural Engineering Principles And Construction Techniques, Building Site Inspection, Site Supervision, Construction Personnel Supervision, Plan And Specification Interpretation, Supply Logistics And Procurement, Applicable Building Codes, And Report Preparation. Read on to learn the essential details every construction engineering technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering construction engineering technology programs.
Across the country, construction engineering technology is a widely-pursued major, with 5,089 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Construction Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 143 schools to determine the best overall colleges for construction engineering technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of construction engineering technology programs later in this article.
Studies in Construction Engineering Technology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations construction engineering technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a construction engineering technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a construction engineering technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several construction 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 | 186 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 774 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,893 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,216 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 11 |
People currently working in careers related to construction engineering technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 41.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 16.2% |
| Some college courses | 13.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 12.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.9% |
| Master’s degree | 3.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.8% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in construction engineering technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in construction engineering technology opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to construction engineering technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to construction engineering technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Managers | 496,716 | -0.3% |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 261,905 | 11.0% |
| Cost Estimators | 181,631 | 12.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of construction engineering technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $73,240 |
| 4 years | $83,841 |
| 5 years | $94,183 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for construction engineering technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers construction engineering technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,216 |
| Construction Managers | $83,791 |
| Cost Estimators | $80,966 |
With 143 different construction engineering technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased construction engineering technology school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
