Civil Engineering Technicians
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.
AI Impact Summary
Civil Engineering Technicians faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 40/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 81% of all analyzed occupations. Of 15 analyzed tasks, 4 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Civil Engineering Technicians skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
Machine Learning Specialization
by Stanford / DeepLearning.AI
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
15 tasks analyzed
Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities using calculator or computer.
Inspect project site and evaluate contractor work to detect design malfunctions and ensure conformance to design specifications and applicable codes.
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 and to ensure conformance to specifications.
Conduct materials test and analysis using tools and equipment and applying engineering knowledge.
Develop plans and estimate costs for installation of systems, utilization of facilities, or construction of structures.
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.
Develop project budgets by estimating the cost of project activities.
Evaluate facility to determine suitability for occupancy and square footage availability.
Plan and conduct field surveys to locate new sites and analyze details of project sites.
Respond to public suggestions and complaints.
Negotiate prices for new contracts or for modifications to existing contracts with contractors.
Report maintenance problems occurring at project site to supervisor and negotiate changes to resolve system conflicts.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities using calculator or computer. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 10% | |
| Inspect project site and evaluate contractor work to detect design malfunctions and ensure conformance to design specifications and applicable codes. | 43.88Observed | 44.6% | 10% | |
| Read and review project blueprints and structural specifications to determine dimensions of structure or system and material requirements. | 85Estimated | 83.2% | 10% | |
| Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects and to ensure conformance to specifications. | 63.22Observed | 74.5% | 10% | |
| Conduct materials test and analysis using tools and equipment and applying engineering knowledge. | 55.57Observed | 49.2% | 8% | |
| Develop plans and estimate costs for installation of systems, utilization of facilities, or construction of structures. | 56.25Observed | 49.5% | 8% | |
| Confer with supervisor to determine project details such as plan preparation, acceptance testing, and evaluation of field conditions. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 5% | |
| Analyze proposed site factors and design maps, graphs, tracings, and diagrams to illustrate findings. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 8% | |
| Prepare reports and document project activities and data. | 44.98Observed | 67.2% | 8% | |
| Develop project budgets by estimating the cost of project activities. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 5% | |
| Evaluate facility to determine suitability for occupancy and square footage availability. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Plan and conduct field surveys to locate new sites and analyze details of project sites. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 5% | |
| Respond to public suggestions and complaints. | 36.68Observed | 29.7% | 3% | |
| Negotiate prices for new contracts or for modifications to existing contracts with contractors. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 3% | |
| Report maintenance problems occurring at project site to supervisor and negotiate changes to resolve system conflicts. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 28.4%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$64,200
per year
Mean Wage
$68,450
per year
Employment
62K
workers
Wage Range
$43,550 - $97,840
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Electronic Drafters
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Electrical Drafters
45%Median salary: $73,720
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25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
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General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
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30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Civil Engineering Technicians professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change