How to become a civil engineer
Official title: Civil engineers
Also called: Dams engineer, Soil engineer, Civil engineer, Ocean engineer, Bridge engineer, County engineer, Survey engineer, Tunnel engineer, Airport engineer, Asphalt engineer, Coastal engineer, Highway engineer
Civil engineers plan, design, develop and manage projects for the construction or repair of buildings, earth structures, powerhouses, roads, airports, railways, rapid transit facilities, bridges, tunnels, canals, dams, ports and coastal installations and systems related to highway and transportation services, water distribution and sanitation. Civil engineers may also specialize in foundation analysis, building and structural inspection, surveying, geomatics and municipal planning. They are employed by engineering consulting companies, in all levels of government, by construction firms and in many other industries, or they may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Confer with clients and other members of the engineering team and conduct research to determine project requirements
- Plan and design major civil projects such as buildings, roads, bridges, dams, water and waste management systems and structural steel fabrications
- Develop construction specifications and procedures
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate building and construction materials
- Interpret, review and approve survey and civil design work
- Conduct field services for civil works
- Ensure construction plans meet guidelines and specifications of building codes and other regulations
- Establish and monitor construction work schedules
How to become one
A bachelor's degree in civil engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required. A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required. Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.
Ways in
- University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 15 universities in Canada
- Licence or registration: Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $94,692 a year The middle half earn $74,997 to $116,786.
- About 65,600 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 71,500 are projected by 2033. (+9%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a civil engineer?
A bachelor's degree in civil engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required. A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required. Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.
How much does a civil engineer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $94,692 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $74,997 to $116,786.
Is a civil engineer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2033, from about 65,600 to about 71,500 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a civil engineer?
Usually. 89% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
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