Calculates how buildings and bridges hold up against gravity, wind, and earthquakes.
You model a 30-story tower in analysis software, size every beam and column, and check how it will sway in an earthquake. Then you visit the site to inspect a tricky steel connection.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 8 years after high school. Civil or structural engineering degree (often a master's), plus PE and in many states SE licensure.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, Certification. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). Part of civil engineers in BLS data.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI automates analysis and drafting, so fewer junior calc jobs; judgment and a stamped license for public safety stay human.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, Drafting CTE class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2051.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.