Most Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs take two years to complete. Graduates start earning $59,381 right after finishing, climbing to $76,549 four years out.
This page covers Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering Tech and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians is a focused area of study within Engineering Tech. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $76,549 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 158 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 1,199 students complete it each year, most walking away with a associate's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$59,381
Median Earnings · 4yr
$76,549
Colleges Offering
158
Graduates / Year
1,199
Avg Net Price / yr
$12,394
How Much Do Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians, a typical graduate earns $76,549, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $61,862 and $91,215, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$76,549
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$75,356
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$61,86225th pct.
$76,549Median
$91,21575th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $76,549 against an estimated $49,576 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 35 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 1,199 students who complete Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs each year, the majority (65%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
65%26%
Associate's65%
Bachelor's26%
Certificate7%
What Can You Do With a Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians pay the most at $64,950/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities, using calculator or computer.
Read and review project blueprints and structural specifications to determine dimensions of structure or system and material requirements.
Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects to ensure conformance to specifications.
High school diploma or equivalent900 openings/yr8K employed nationally
Active ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Conduct field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, effectiveness of signals, adequacy of lighting, and other factors influencing traffic conditions, under direction of traffic engineer.
Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area.
Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
Prepare graphs, charts, diagrams, or other aids to illustrate observations or conclusions.
Top Colleges for Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
Not sure where to study Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians is not the only path through Engineering Tech: 18 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians shows 3 measurable strengths and 0 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $76,549 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $91,215, a strong ceiling for high performers.
Flexible credential pathsPrograms are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
How much do Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?
$76,549 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $61,862 and $91,215, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians degree?
$59,381 in the first year out. That grows to $76,549 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians degree?
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians are one path, and it pays a median of $64,950 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for a Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians associate degree. Many students use it as a stepping stone, transferring to a four-year school afterward to finish a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians?
158 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians degree worth it?
$76,549 median earnings four years out against $12,394 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians and Engineering Tech?
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians is the narrower of the two: Engineering Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +3.6% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Traffic Technicians are among the strongest-growth roles at +4.0%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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