17 of the Best Types of Civil Engineer Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Civil Engineer jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Civil Engineer Jobs

• Senior Civil Engineer

  Salary range: $86,000 - $128,000

  Senior Civil Engineer is a common job search query. Most salaries for Senior Civil Engineer jobs pay between $86,000 (25th percentile) and $128,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Civil Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Freelance Civil Engineer

  Salary range: $67,500 - $98,500

  Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.

• Civil Engineer Co Op

  Salary range: $67,500 - $98,500

  The qualifications you need for a Co-Op job depend on the application requirements at your school and the organization where you want to work. You must be an officially enrolled student at your college or university, and GPA and credit hour requirements are typical. Some companies prefer Co-Op students whose major aligns with the industry. You must have strong communication skills and a willingness to learn and practice a variety of new tasks and job duties. Your responsibilities are to apply your learning to your Co-Op work experience and be a punctual and motivated employee.

• Temporary Civil Engineer

  Salary range: $67,500 - $98,500

  The steps to becoming a temporary civil engineer start by becoming a regular civil engineer. It’s recommended to pursue a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. During your studies, you can focus on a specialized area if desired, like civil engineering technology or geotechnical engineering. Licensing requirements vary by state and employer, but a license is usually required if you offer your services to the public. After working for a couple of years, you can obtain the professional engineer credential, which some employers prefer. Additional qualifications include math skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to work with a diverse client base.

• Independent Contractor Civil Engineer

  Salary range: $67,500 - $98,500

  You find Independent Contractors in many different industries, so the path to becoming one varies significantly. In general, you must have several years of experience in the field and have a track record of success in your industry. You also must pursue the kind of work that can be done on a consultant or contract basis. You may possess particular skills or expertise that a company needs temporarily, such as an IT Consultant, or provide a service that is required intermittently, like a Freelance Writer. Many Independent Contractors transition to becoming self-employed to have a more flexible schedule and the ability to choose their clients.

• Civil Engineer Manager

  Salary range: $67,500 - $98,500

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Executive Civil Engineer

  Salary range: $67,500 - $98,500

  The different types of executive jobs include upper- and senior-level management as well as the C-suite—the highest levels of senior management. The C-suite executives have the word “chief” at the beginning of their titles: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are the most common. Companies with a heavy reliance on information technology may also have a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Other executive jobs include vice president and director of various departments.

• Full Time Civil Engineer

  Salary range: $67,500 - $98,500

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• On Call Civil Engineer

  Salary range: $67,500 - $98,500

  When most people think of on-call jobs, medical professionals and first responders typically come to mind. For first responders, like firefighters and EMTs, on-call usually means you are sleeping at the station, ready to wake up and respond to a call quickly. Medical workers, on the other hand, may work a more traditional on-call schedule. While some nurses and doctors may sleep at the hospital, especially during their residency, you may also have an on-call shift where you can leave and go home, potentially never actually coming back. If you want a career as a nurse or doctor but do not like this unpredictability, rest assured that the chance of having on-call shifts decreases as you gain seniority and advanced qualifications. Repair workers like electricians may also work on-call. You may occasionally find on-call jobs in retail or customer service sectors, but this is not as common.

• Civil Engineer Virtual

  Salary range: $67,500 - $98,500

  A virtual job refers to a job that can be performed outside of an employer’s office. Also known as remote, work from home, or telecommuting jobs, these positions have become increasingly common because of technology like telephones, internet, email, and video conference calls, which help to facilitate employer-employee communication.

• Entry Level Civil Engineer

  Salary range: $52,000 - $88,500

  An entry-level civil engineer needs to have a number of qualifications to work in the industry. You should have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related subject. You can also enroll in a 3+2 program, spending the first three years as an undergraduate and the final two getting a master’s degree. Licensing and certification vary by state, but there are several professional organizations that confer licenses to engineers. Internships during college are a good way to improve job opportunities while learning the responsibilities of a full-time engineer.

• Civil Engineer Junior

  Salary range: $48,500 - $80,000

  Civil Engineer Junior is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Civil Engineer Junior jobs pay between $48,500 (25th percentile) and $80,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Civil Engineer Junior job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Apprentice Civil Engineer

  Salary range: $63,000 - $73,000

  Apprentice Civil Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Apprentice Civil Engineer jobs pay between $63,000 (25th percentile) and $73,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Apprentice Civil Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Trainee Civil Engineer

  Salary range: $63,000 - $73,000

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Per Diem Civil Engineer

  Salary range: $63,000 - $73,000

  Per diem jobs are short-term positions which are paid by the day. The most common per diem job opportunities are in the medical field, including positions in nursing, hospice, pediatrics, and midwifery. Phlebotomists, operating (OR) assistants, and pharmacists may also work on a per diem basis. Per diem employees are often contracted to work as admissions coordinators, recreation coordinators, and assistants.

• Director Civil Engineer

  Salary range: $63,000 - $73,000

  A director is a low-level executive in a company or organization that is responsible for a particular project, region, or division. A director of a company is employed to manage the day-to-day business activities of a group or division within an organization. There are different types of directors, but they are all tasked with leading others and meeting the goals of the organization. Directors plan, execute and manage to reach a goal. For example, the sales director would oversee the sales for a particular product or area. An HR director would be tasked with screening applicants and hiring the right candidates, making sure to comply with all employment laws and settling any personnel issues.

• Civil Engineer Internship

  Salary range: $35,000 - $45,500

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.