Civil Engineers
Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.
AI Impact Summary
Civil Engineers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 28/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 29% of all analyzed occupations. Of 17 analyzed tasks, 1 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 Information Ordering 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.
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)
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility 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.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing 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.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Civil Engineers 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
Systems Thinking In Practice
by The Open University
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
17 tasks analyzed
Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
Design or engineer systems to efficiently dispose of chemical, biological, or other toxic wastes.
Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, or program modifications or structural repairs.
Test soils or materials to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel.
Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations or establish reference points, grades, or elevations to guide construction.
Estimate quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility.
Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures using computer assisted design or drawing tools.
Design energy efficient or environmentally sound civil structures.
Prepare or present public reports on topics such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, or property and right-of-way descriptions.
Identify environmental risks and develop risk management strategies for civil engineering projects.
Direct engineering activities ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, or other topographical or geologic data.
Develop or implement engineering solutions to clean up industrial accidents or other contaminated sites.
Conduct studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify engineering problems and assess potential project impact.
Analyze manufacturing processes or byproducts to identify engineering solutions to minimize the output of carbon or other pollutants.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards. | 56Observed | 49.4% | 8% | |
| Design or engineer systems to efficiently dispose of chemical, biological, or other toxic wastes. | 25Estimated | 37.0% | 4% | |
| Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 8% | |
| Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, or program modifications or structural repairs. | 63.95Observed | 40.6% | 6% | |
| Test soils or materials to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel. | 58.53Observed | 50.4% | 5% | |
| Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 8% | |
| Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations or establish reference points, grades, or elevations to guide construction. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 5% | |
| Estimate quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 6% | |
| Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures using computer assisted design or drawing tools. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 10% | |
| Design energy efficient or environmentally sound civil structures. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 6% | |
| Prepare or present public reports on topics such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, or property and right-of-way descriptions. | 35Estimated | 29.0% | 5% | |
| Identify environmental risks and develop risk management strategies for civil engineering projects. | 45Estimated | 45.0% | 5% | |
| Direct engineering activities ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 6% | |
| Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, or other topographical or geologic data. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 8% | |
| Develop or implement engineering solutions to clean up industrial accidents or other contaminated sites. | 25Estimated | 37.0% | 4% | |
| Conduct studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify engineering problems and assess potential project impact. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Analyze manufacturing processes or byproducts to identify engineering solutions to minimize the output of carbon or other pollutants. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 32.0%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$99,590
per year
Mean Wage
$107,050
per year
Employment
355K
workers
Wage Range
$65,920 - $160,990
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsFire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
28%Median salary: $109,660
Higher risk than 31% of other occupations
Agricultural Engineers
29%Median salary: $84,630
Higher risk than 33% of other occupations
Environmental Engineers
29%Median salary: $104,170
Higher risk than 34% of other occupations
Energy Engineers
30%Median salary: $117,750
Higher risk than 36% of other occupations
Architectural and Engineering Managers
30%Median salary: $167,740
Higher risk than 37% of other occupations
Construction Managers
31%Median salary: $106,980
Higher risk than 46% of other occupations
Logistics Engineers
31%Median salary: $80,880
Higher risk than 47% of other occupations
Soil and Water Conservationists
32%Median salary: $67,950
Higher risk than 50% of other occupations
Transportation Engineers
32%Median salary: $99,590
Higher risk than 53% of other occupations
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
33%Median salary: $101,020
Higher risk than 57% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
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 Engineers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility 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.
- Persuasion
Persuasion 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.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis 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.
- Active Learning
Active Learning 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.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
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