Civil engineers are more important than ever to rebuilding deteriorating infrastructures and modifying current systems to keep up with fast change as cities grow. Civil engineers do project management. In addition to other structures and infrastructure, they construct buildings, roads, bridges, tunnels, highways, and airports. Civil engineers must use a diverse range of talents since they carry out a variety of tasks in both office environments and on construction sites.
To become a civil engineer, one must obtain a degree in the subject. A civil engineering degree can help students get jobs by preparing them for them and advancing the vital field of civil engineering. While a bachelor's degree can give students the information and technical abilities to work in the profession of civil engineering, a master's programme can direct practising engineers on the route to leadership.
What is Civil Engineering?
Civil engineering is a professional subject that deals with the planning, development, and upkeep of the built environment, including public works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, making structural elements, and trains.
There have traditionally been several subfields within civil engineering. Military engineering is the oldest subject and is defined to distinguish it from non-military engineering. The public sector includes municipal public works departments up to federal government institutions and the private sector, which comprises locally based enterprises and Fortune 500 global firms.
A civil engineer's duties can be broken down into three groups -
- those done before construction (such as feasibility studies, site investigations, and design);
- those done during construction (such as dealing with clients, consulting engineers, and contractors);
- and those done following construction (maintenance and research).
Civil Engineering as a Profession
A civil engineering master's degree is a wise professional decision. There are numerous employment options in civil engineering, including those for architects, city engineers, consultants, researchers, etc. It is a field that is growing steadily and will keep growing. Civil engineers can find work in a variety of locations around the world (in countries like the UK, Canada, Germany, and Singapore). The USA is the only nation that provides the best opportunities, though.
Master's Degree in Civil Engineering in USA
MS in Civil Engineering in USA is very advantageous for a variety of reasons, including the following -
- According to US News Ranking 2020, civil engineering is the country's second-best engineering career and the 17th-best STEM career.
- There are over 326,800 positions in the US civil engineering sector.
- Nine colleges in the United States are listed among the top 50 universities worldwide that offer civil engineering programmes in the QS Rankings of 2021.
- Federal government workers earn the highest salaries in this sector, with an average of 95,380 US dollars annually.
Both full-time and part-time options are available for MS in Civil Engineering in USA.
Anyone with expertise in designing and building structures and a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field can apply for this programme.
The duration for a full-time degree is between 9 months and 2 years.
The cost of an MS in civil engineering in the US ranges from 13,800 USD to 149,080 USD.
In the USA, a civil engineer's base pay is roughly 47,000 USD (34.5 lakhs INR) per year, and with experience, that compensation can rise to 135,000 USD (99.2 lakhs) per year.
Top Colleges in the USA for MS in Civil Engineering
| QS Ranking | University | Course & Duration | Avg. Fees (USD) |
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering: 2 years | 53,450 USD |
| 4 | University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) | MS Civil Engineering; 1 year | 32,374 USD |
| 10 | Stanford University | MS Civil and Environmental Engineering; 2 years | 149,080 USD |
| 15 | Georgia Institute of Technology | MS Civil and Environmental Engineering; 1 year | 31,370 USD |
| 22 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) | MS Civil and Environmental Engineering; 1 year | 24,122 USD |
MS in Civil Engineering in USA Eligibility
- Minimum of 10+2+4 education
- Four-year undergraduate degree in civil engineering or a closely related subject Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a scale of 4.0 in bachelor's (equivalent to Grade “B” or 83-86%)
- Proof of English language proficiency (minimum IELTS score of 6.5-7.0, depending on the university)
- Minimum GRE score of 300 may also be required by several American universities that offer master's degrees in civil engineering.
Pay Grade of Civil Engineers in the USA
A civil engineering bachelor's degree can help you get a professional license and entry-level employment. Still, a master's degree is frequently needed to advance your career and earn greater pay.
Here are some of the top careers and their salary per annum -
- Construction engineer - 68,200 USD
- Structural engineer - 67,600 USD
- Building control surveyor - 56,000 USD
- Water resource engineer - 66,000 USD
- Transportation planner - 57,000 USD
- Quantity surveyor - 60,500 USD
- Geotechnical engineer - 66,200 USD
Most of the highest-paid civil engineers in the US work for companies involved in oil and gas extraction. On the other hand, some of the highest-paying positions in the country are located in the cities of Midland, Hinesville, Texas, Houston, and Georgia.
The maximum possible pay for a civil engineer in the United States is 112850 USD, while the lowest pay is 67,430 USD. Civil engineers in the US can anticipate making a median annual salary of 86,640 USD after obtaining their master's degrees.