Hiring Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

What do civil engineering technologists and technicians do?

• 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.
• Confer with supervisor to determine project details such as plan preparation, acceptance testing, and evaluation of field conditions.
• Analyze proposed site factors and design maps, graphs, tracings, and diagrams to illustrate findings.
• Prepare reports and document project activities and data.

Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 17-3022.00.

What does it take to become one?

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

O*NET Job Zone 3, SVP (6.0 to < 7.0). O*NET OnLine.

Employers commonly list experience with Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D, Bentley MicroStation, Geographic information system GIS systems, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software for this role.

What do civil engineering technologists and technicians get paid?

BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for civil engineering technologists and technicians in 92 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $45,270 to $98,020 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $63,650. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.

BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 17-3022.

What does hiring one cost?

The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for civil engineering technologists and technicians in this build is $98,020. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $19,604 to $29,406 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.

Frequently asked

How fast can a civil engineering technologists and technicians search fill?

23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.

What if the hire does not work out?

A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.