Army Corps of Engineers Civil Engineer

Also called: USACE engineer, Federal civil engineer

Civilian engineer who designs and manages dams, locks, levees, and military construction for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

A day in the life

USACE engineers inspect levees, model river flooding, and manage contractors building military facilities. After hurricanes, they deploy to restore power and clear debris. It's one of the biggest public engineering employers in the country.

Pay over a career

Starting
$65k
Typical
$100k
High
$150k

Federal GS pay; based on BLS civil engineers median (~$100k).

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in civil engineering; PE license for advancement.

Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering.

Outlook

Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). BLS projects ~5% growth for civil engineers, 2024-34.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI speeds flood modeling and drafting; licensed engineers still inspect levees and sign designs.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, Earth science, Drafting / CAD.

Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2051.

More Military Engineering & Technical careers

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.