Civil engineers work in the construction of roads, buildings, airports, bridges, and infrastructure projects in private and public sectors. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an eight percent rise in the demand for civil engineers between 2020 and 2030.
With this rise in demand, we will look at the highest-paying civil engineer companies and how much they pay. If you’re an aspiring civil engineer, use this article to learn more about the best companies for civil engineers to work for.
What Is a Civil Engineer?
Civil engineers use civil engineering techniques like planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining infrastructures. They have a creative approach to respecting public and environmental health. Civil Engineers are responsible for landmark projects like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Erie Canal. They build everything from roads and tunnels to buildings and bridges.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 50 percent of civil engineers in North America work in engineering services. Some of their duties include analyzing long-range plans and survey reports maps, analyzing the tests on building materials, and evaluating civil engineering projects.
How to Get a Civil Engineers Job
The best way to get a civil engineering job starts with earning an undergraduate degree. Fortunately, there are many online civil engineering degrees that are ideal for people who want to learn from home. Below is a step-by-step guide on how you can get a job in civil engineering.
- Complete a civil engineering bachelor’s degree program. Learning civil engineering begins at university with a four-year undergraduate program. These programs cover a wide range of related subjects such as math, engineering, and statistics used in civil engineering.
- Earn a master’s degree. Specialize in an area to become a construction, land development, transportation, or geotechnical engineer. Consider these programs if you’re looking to find the best jobs in engineering.
- Complete an internship. Civil engineering internships include semester-long or summer-long internships to satisfy part of the degree requirements. This also consists of an engineer-in-training program.
- Become licensed. Civil engineers who want to offer their services to the public must go through several steps to become licensed. Some common requirements for licensing include attending an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) institution, fundamentals of engineering (FE) exams, completing a minimum number of professional hours, or the Practice of Engineering exams (PE).
- Start applying for related jobs. Online job boards such as Indeed and Glassdoor are popular and effective sites for finding job openings. Be sure to check out government or federal career web pages, as well.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Civil Engineers Companies
| Company | Salary for Civil Engineers |
|---|---|
| Aerotek | $111,223 |
| Betchel | $101,481 |
| The US Army | $92,479 |
| Arcadis | $90,721 |
| Parsons Corporation | $90,554 |
| Kimley-Horn | $87,340 |
| HDR | $82,157 |
| Stantec | $80,492 |
| Jacobs Engineering | $80,185 |
| AECOM | $78,076 |
Aerotek
Aerotek provides workforce and HR solutions to organizations across the world. This company specializes in temporary staffing, recruiting, training, direct placement, payroll, and employee contracts.
What Does Aerotek Pay Its Civil Engineers?
Aerotek pays its civil engineers $111,223, per year, according to Indeed. This is far above the national average. Common benefits include 401k plans, life insurance, disability insurance, and employee discounts on select products and services.
Aerotek Reviews
Aerotek is a decent company to work for, according to reviews on Indeed. Past and present employees feel the company excels in offering its employees professional development. These employees also spoke highly of Aerotek’s fun and work-friendly environment.
Bechtel
The biggest company in civil engineering is Bechtel, an American company that offers a wide range of services in engineering and construction. It is involved in a number of large-scale infrastructure projects involving roads, airports, communication networks, and gas field development projects. Bechtel also operates as an infrastructure consulting firm.
What Does Bechtel Pay Its Civil Engineers?
According to Glassdoor, Bechtel pays its civil engineers $101,481 per year. This company also offers employee benefits as part of its compensation plans. They include health insurance, 401k plans, maternity leave, and paid time off.
Bechtel Reviews
According to hundreds of reports on Glassdoor, working at Bechtel is a great experience. Past and present employees have praised this company’s organized culture and positive work-life balance.
The US Army
Instead of working for private engineering corporations, you could work for the US state or federal government. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 12 percent of all civil engineers in America work for the government.
What Does The US Army Pay Its Civil Engineers?
The average salary of a US Army civil engineer is $92,479 per year, according to Indeed. This is nine percent higher than the national average. The Army offers a wide range of benefits, including vacation days, housing, comprehensive healthcare, and cash allowances.
The US Army Reviews
Working for the US army is a great experience. Thousands of employee reviews on Indeed and Glassdoor praise this organization. Employees also commended the Army’s salaries, benefits, job security, and career advancement possibilities.
Arcadis
Arcadis is one of the largest construction companies in the United States. It offers a wide range of engineering services, including sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions. This company offers high-paying jobs to civil engineers.
What Does Arcadis Pay Its Civil Engineers?
According to Glassdoor, civil engineers working at Arcadis earn $90,721, per year. This company offers positive initiatives and competitive salary packages. The common benefits include retirement plans, health insurance, and 401k matching.
Arcadis Reviews
In general, Arcadis is a decent company to work for, particularly for larger-practice careers. Employees on Indeed and Glassdoor have spoken highly of this company’s flexible working schedules and exceptional corporate culture.
Parsons Corporation
Parsons Corporation is one of the largest solutions providers of technology-related products and services. These services include defense solutions, intelligence, and critical infrastructure.
What Does Parsons Corporation Pay Its Civil Engineers?
Glassdoor reports that civil engineers working at Parsons Corporation earn a yearly salary of $90,554. This corporation also offers health, retirement, savings, and career advancement benefits.
Parsons Corporation Reviews
You’ll have a great experience working at Parsons as hundreds of employees on Glassdoor imply that this company offers great benefits. Other perks of working at this corporation include interacting with good people and extensive opportunities to advance your career.
Kimley-Horn
Kimley-Horn is a globally recognized consulting firm. It offers premier planning and design consulting services for different clients. According to Kimley-Horn’s LinkedIn page, this company has more than 5,000 staff members in more than 100 offices throughout the US.
What Does Kimley-Horn Pay Its Civil Engineers?
According to Glassdoor, Kimley-Horn pays its civil engineers $87,340, annually. Many employees on this platform also reported cash bonuses upward of $22,182, per year.
Kimley-Horn Reviews
Kimley-Horn is an excellent company to work for, as many employees have spoken positively of this company’s internship programs. Kimley-Horn also offers competitive benefits for its employees.
HDR
HDR is a design corporation that specializes in engineering, environmental, architecture and construction services. HDR operates in special infrastructure projects involving bridges and hospitals.
What Does HDR Pay Its Civil Engineers?
Glassdoor estimates the average annual salary of HDR’s civil engineers to be approximately $82,157, per year.
HDR Reviews
Thousands of employees on Glassdoor and Indeed have applauded HDR’s excellent work environment and great team culture. Some of the advantages of working for HDR include a supportive work environment, interesting projects, and opportunities for growth.
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Stantec
Stantec is a professional services company specializing in architectural design and civil engineering. Other services offered by this company include interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, and environmental sciences, among others.
What Does Stantec Pay Its Civil Engineers?
According to Glassdoor, Stantec civil engineers earn $80,492 per year, including bonuses and additional compensation. The average base salary starts at $58,887 while the highest annual salary for a civil engineer is $120,000.
Stantec Reviews
Many employees on Glassdoor say that Stantec is a good company to work for and would recommend open positions to their friends. Some of the benefits mentioned by both present and past employees include a great work environment, comprehensive employee benefits, and a good work-life balance.
Jacobs
Jacobs is a well-known engineering firm that offers a broad range of construction services to a large number of clients in the industrial and commercial industries. The company’s services extend to design, construction, consulting, and maintenance.
What Does Jacobs Pay Its Civil Engineers?
Glassdoor reports that Jacobs pays its civil engineers $80,185, per year. Employees are also entitled to flexible work schedules, health insurance, and retirement benefits.
Jacobs Reviews
Thousands of past and present employee reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed suggest that this company excels in offering a positive work environment and great corporate culture.
AECOM
AECOM is one of the biggest construction companies in the world. It offers a wide variety of construction-related services including design, construction, management, and engineering. Yahoo Finance estimates that AECOM has more than 51,000 employees who helped the company generate $13.2 billion in 2021.
What Does AECOM Pay Its Civil Engineers?
Glassdoor reports that civil engineers working at AECOM earn an annual salary of $78,076, per year. However, AECOM also offers a broad range of employee benefits, including accident insurance, adoption insurance, paid holidays, paid time off, retirement plans, and savings plans.
AECOM Reviews
AECOM is a good company to work for, judging by the thousands of reports on employee review sites such as Glassdoor and Indeed. Some of the factors that enhance the work experience at AECOM include a good work environment, comprehensive employee benefits, and flexible work-from-home policies.
Why You Should Become a Civil Engineer in 2023
With the current construction boom, the civil engineering industry is growing quickly. More neighborhoods are being built, which means more houses, bridges, roads, and utilities need to be developed. Working for a top civil engineering firm gives you an opportunity to earn a reasonably high salary.
Well-established companies also offer comprehensive health insurance, life insurance, and retirement plans. Pursue this career if you are interested in challenging projects and infrastructure development.
Best Companies for Civil Engineers FAQ
Arup seems to be the best company to work for, according to engineering forums and publications. Other top companies for civil engineers include Atkins, Bechtel, Arcadis, and AECOM.
According to Glassdoor, civil engineers at Aerotek earn about $111,223 per year, which is significantly higher than the market rate and national average of $88,570.
Civil engineers work for companies that offer engineering services. These include city and state engineering departments, industry manufacturers, consulting engineering firms, and construction companies.
The highest-paying civil engineering job is an engineering manager. Glassdoor states that the average annual income of an engineering manager is $170,445.
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