Entry Level Salary
$65,000
Median Salary
$114,449
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
14.6%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,577,960
Entry (Early)
$65,000
Median (Prime)
$114,449
High (Prime)
$122,708
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+122k
+521k
+587k
$25k / yr
+32k
+431k
+497k
$50k / yr
-58k
+341k
+407k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
31
24
24
$25k / yr
48
27
27
$50k / yr
Never
31
30
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
∞
∞
∞
$25k / yr
29%
397%
457%
$50k / yr
-27%
157%
187%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate36.5%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Civil engineers
31.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$70,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,000|$99,590
openings
23,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5%
Engineers, All Other
7.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$69,781
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,000|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Construction managers
6.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$75,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$107,000|$106,980
openings
46,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.7%
Management occupations
4.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$73,158
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$140,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Project management specialists
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$74,970
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$123,000|$100,750
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Top executives
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$180,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$200,000|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Software developers
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$113,496
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$128,000|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Postsecondary teachers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$26,400
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Architectural and engineering managers
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$96,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$141,586|$167,740
openings
14,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.8%
Environmental engineers
1.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$76,011
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$105,000|$104,170
openings
3,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| civil engineering technologies/technicians. | Associate's Degree | 24 | $52,412 - $75,827 |
| civil engineering technologies/technicians. | Bachelor's Degree | 16 | $64,001 - $86,871 |
| civil engineering. | Bachelor's Degree | 232 | $63,518 - $116,779 |
| civil engineering. | Master's Degree | 90 | $74,119 - $122,256 |
| civil engineering. | Doctoral Degree | 4 | $110,992 - $110,992 |