Also called: Hydraulic Structures Engineer
Inspects and strengthens dams so they never fail and flood the towns below.
You climb through tunnels inside a concrete dam checking for cracks and seepage, review instrument readings, and model what would happen in a 1,000-year flood.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in civil engineering; PE license required for senior work.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, Certification. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Sensors and AI flag dam movement faster; licensed engineers still inspect, judge risk and sign off on public safety.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, Earth science.
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.