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.
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.
Federal GS pay; based on BLS civil engineers median (~$100k).
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 for advancement.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). BLS projects ~5% growth for civil engineers, 2024-34.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI speeds flood modeling and drafting; licensed engineers still inspect levees and sign designs.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, Earth science, Drafting / CAD.
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.