Top Civil Engineering Careers for Future Professionals

For those looking to make a meaningful difference, civil engineering is a career path with strong growth potential. This in-demand field is growing faster than average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.¹

Civil engineering careers can be both lucrative and rewarding. These professionals are responsible for planning, designing, and supervising the construction and maintenance of infrastructure systems, including buildings, transportation networks, and utilities.¹

There is a wide range of exciting careers and specializations that require the expertise and experience of civil engineers. As society faces challenges like population growth, climate change, and the need to integrate technological innovations, these professions are essential for sustainable development.

The projected job growth—more than 22,000 new professionals to be hired by 2033—means the civil engineering job outlook is strong.¹ This makes sense, as the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2025 estimated that a $9.1 billion investment in the nation’s infrastructure is needed to keep bridges, roads, water systems, and buildings in good repair.² This work is central to the civil engineering profession.

Some new civil engineering students may wish to pursue specialization to gain needed skills for modern projects. For example, sustainable infrastructure, resilient infrastructure, and green building design is gaining interest as a result of climate change-related private initiatives and municipal requirements. Internet of Things (IoT) integration, smart city innovations, and technological advancements in data and automation also demand specialized civil engineering expertise.

There are many potential paths and specializations available to those interested in civil engineering careers. This list can help both newcomers and those familiar with the field find the roles that suit them best.

What’s Driving Civil Engineering Job Growth?

The future of civil engineering is strong for a few noteworthy reasons. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA, was passed by Congress in 2022 to provide new funding for infrastructure projects.³ The list of qualified projects is long, ranging from roads and bridges to ports, airports, and water infrastructure.

What do these projects have in common? All of them are civil engineering opportunities.

But the IIJA isn’t the only reason that civil engineers are in such high demand. Climate change has required innovations in many private and public infrastructure projects for longevity and safety purposes. Urban development, which has become a greater necessity for the needs of the growing population, also demands civil engineering specialties. Sustainability projects, which are growing in number daily, also mean more work for those in this industry.

Today’s increasingly complex projects also create a need for modern engineers that are knowledgeable in both traditional and contemporary skills. Bradley University offers an online bachelor’s degree in civil engineering that ensures students have mastered the skills needed to compete for the best civil engineering jobs in private companies and government offices alike.

Top Career Paths in Civil Engineering Today

Consider these top civil engineering jobs and career paths for a lucrative and rewarding professional future.

Structural Engineers

These specialized civil engineers design, build, and maintain bridges and buildings of all kinds. Importantly, structural engineers also develop earthquake-resistant designs that keep communities safe from natural disasters.

Transportation Engineers

The Federal Highway Administration registered more than 282 million personal and commercial vehicles on American roads in 2022 according to its latest statistics⁴—and those numbers are likely to rise. That’s why transportation engineers are increasingly in demand.

These professionals oversee smart traffic systems, design highways, and create public transit solutions to keep everyone moving toward their destination safely and efficiently.

Environmental Engineers

As mentioned earlier, climate change is a big driver of demand for civil engineers. As an environmental engineer, you’ll be tasked with overseeing the construction and maintenance of services like water treatment facilities, pollution control systems, and all initiatives related to climate resilience. This is a specialty that will only become more crucial as the population continues to tax limited natural resources.

Geotechnical Engineers

These professionals are focused on building safe and solid foundations for buildings. This requires geotechnical engineers to have a firm and practical understanding of soil science and slope stability on many different types of land.

Construction Managers

A construction manager with engineering training is a valuable asset on any job site. These individuals combine on-site leadership with technical expertise—a skill set that is especially attractive to engineers pursuing leadership or entrepreneurial roles.

Urban Infrastructure Planners

For those who are interested in creating the cities and municipalities of the future, a career in urban infrastructure planning could be very attractive. These civil engineers work directly with city planning and development staff to ensure residents can live, work, and play in a place that is safe, efficient, and able to handle future growth.

How to Prepare for These Roles

Those who seek entry level civil engineering jobs will want to start upskilling through an online degree.

Through internships and coursework you can begin building a strong portfolio of technical and project management experience that aligns with key civil engineering career paths.

• Courses such as Structural Analysis and Structural Dynamics provide foundational knowledge for understanding how infrastructure systems behave under various loads—essential for designing safe and efficient bridges, overpasses, and transportation networks
• Construction Graphics and Estimating equips you with the skills to interpret technical drawings, develop accurate project budgets, and coordinate large-scale transportation projects
• In fields like Highway Design and Urban Transportation Planning, Seismic Design is crucial in ensuring roadways and transit systems are resilient in earthquake-prone regions

Together, these courses offer hands-on, industry-relevant skills that prepare you for a future in civil infrastructure. As you begin your career, you can take the next steps to pursue licensure and additional certifications for advancement. With time, you’ll find even better-paying and more interesting work in civil engineering.

Civil Engineering: Many Paths to Success

Civil engineering offers a diverse array of unique career paths. From working in transportation and structures to urban planning and climate resilience, this field is filled with a range of rewarding, future-ready roles.

With the demand for civil engineering jobs outpacing the average of other industries, it’s possible to find a position that aligns with both your technical strengths and personal goals.

At Bradley University, you'll find a robust curriculum and a faculty experienced in all facets of civil engineering. The Bradley online civil engineering bachelor's program is designed specifically to prepare students for these high-demand careers. You'll master the knowledge, skills, and experience to tackle even the most challenging infrastructure projects.

Bradley University focuses on hands-on learning and small class size, which creates personalized opportunities to fully understand the complexities of the many different civil engineering careers. At Bradley, it's possible to participate in extensive internship and networking opportunities comparable to those offered at major research institutions.

As a nationally ranked, ABET-accredited engineering program,⁵ Bradley prepares students for a lifelong career in civil engineering. You can have a meaningful and fulfilling career—not just a job—to lead the next generation of infrastructure development.