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ConstructionTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.Green JobOccupation aligned to O*NET green economy classifications.

Civil Engineer

Performs engineering duties in planning, designing and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities. May work on roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, water and sewage systems, or waste disposal units. May be architectural, structural, traffic, ocean, geo-technical or other kind of engineer.

Annual openings

1,053

Median wage

$101,420

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Growth 2026–2032

+9%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Work experience

No previous work experience is required. However, jobs as a technician can help you gain experience for this job.

These jobs are in demand to design and deliver the large infrastructure projects across the state.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerYes
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsNo

Interests it draws on

  • Engineering and Science
  • Engineering

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
  2. Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
  3. Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
  4. Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
  5. Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures, using computer-assisted design or drawing tools.
  6. Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, program modifications, or structural repairs.
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