How to become a civil engineering technologist or technician
Official title: Civil engineering technologists and technicians
Also called: Road technician, Highway technician, Railway technician, Concrete technician, Land use technician, Measures technician, Corrosion technician, Traffic technologist, Corrosion technologist, Construction technician, Foundation technologist, Road traffic technician
Civil engineering technologists and technicians provide technical support and services to scientists, engineers and other professionals, or may work independently in fields such as structural engineering, municipal engineering, construction design and supervision, highways and transportation engineering, water resources engineering, geotechnical engineering and environmental protection. They are employed by consulting engineering and construction companies, public works, transportation and other government departments and in many other industries.
Main tasks
- Civil engineering technologists
- Develop conventional and computer-assisted design (CAD) engineering designs and drawings from preliminary concepts and sketches
- Prepare construction specifications, cost and material estimates, project schedules and reports
- Supervise or conduct field surveys, inspections or technical investigations of topography, soils, drainage and water supply systems, road and highway systems, buildings and structures to provide data for engineering projects
- Conduct or supervise inspection and testing of construction materials
- May supervise, monitor and inspect construction projects
- Civil engineering technicians
- Assist in developing engineering specifications and drawings
How to become one
Completion of a two- or three-year college program in civil engineering technology or a closely related discipline is usually required for civil engineering technologists. Completion of a one- or two-year college program in civil engineering technology is usually required for civil engineering technicians. Certification in civil engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required for some positions. A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification. In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 61% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Civil engineering technology/technician; Civil engineering; Natural resources conservation and research.
- Licence or registration: In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $66,086 a year The middle half earn $51,558 to $82,056.
- About 27,400 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 29,500 are projected by 2033. (+7.7%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.
Related jobs
- Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
- Construction estimators
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Questions people ask
How do I become a civil engineering technologist or technician?
Completion of a two- or three-year college program in civil engineering technology or a closely related discipline is usually required for civil engineering technologists. Completion of a one- or two-year college program in civil engineering technology is usually required for civil engineering technicians. Certification in civil engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required for some positions. A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification. In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
How much does a civil engineering technologist or technician earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $66,086 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $51,558 to $82,056.
Is a civil engineering technologist or technician a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2033, from about 27,400 to about 29,500 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a civil engineering technologist or technician?
Usually not. Only 22% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03