MSCE Careers

As our nation’s infrastructure ages, we’re seeing a renewed focus not just on repairing the systems that are in place but creating a better model — one that’s more sustainable, friendlier for the environment, and built to last.

An online Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Ohio University can prepare you for a career on the front lines of effecting this change. And by choosing one of four concentrations, you can specialize in an area of civil engineering where you hope to make the greatest impact.

We offer the following concentrations:

• Construction Engineering and Management
• Environmental Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Transportation Engineering

What is the Job Outlook for Civil Engineers?

If you’re looking for an in-demand career where you can have a positive impact in your community, civil engineering is a great choice.

In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranks the civil engineer profession number one on its 2022 “Best Engineering Jobs” list, citing salary, upward mobility, and work-life balance as reasons why it earned the top spot.

Regardless of your specialization, there should be no shortage of opportunities to make your mark.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that civil engineers will be needed in the years ahead to help rebuild, repair, and upgrade bridges, roads, levees, dams, airports, buildings, and other projects as infrastructure continues declining.

The BLS further identifies upgrading water systems, creating more waste treatment plants, and overseeing renewable energy projects as high-priority areas that should require the services of civil engineers over the next decade.

Overall, the BLS predicts 8% growth in the number of civil engineering jobs between 2020 and 2030, with approximately 25,000 openings for civil engineers each year.

Where Do Civil Engineers Work?

Jobs for civil engineers can be found throughout the public and private sectors. Some of the top employers include:

• Engineering services companies
• Construction companies
• Federal government
• State governments
• Local governments
• Consulting firms

Career Options for Master of Science in Civil Engineering Graduates

Whether your focus is on transportation, the environment, water resources, construction, or any of the other specialties within the civil engineering field, your online master’s from OHIO can help you attain your career goals.

Below are some examples of potential job titles you can hold, along with median salaries.

City Engineer

Median salary: $107,619*

City engineers are civil engineers who work for a municipality, helping design or enhance infrastructure, better use community land, and study the environmental impact of residential or commercial development. Responsibilities may include conducting viability studies, supervising contractors or vendors, planning budgets, and overseeing projects.

Construction Manager

Median salary: $97,180**

Construction managers oversee construction projects from planning through completion. Their duties may include preparing budgets, planning construction timelines, negotiating contracts, ensuring quality control, managing staff, and reporting to stakeholders.

Engineering Manager  

Median salary: $149,530**

Engineering managers oversee and coordinate the technical aspects of engineering projects. They may be responsible for solving unexpected challenges that arise, managing engineering staff, planning budgets, collaborating with other departments, and preparing reports.

Environmental Engineer

Median salary: $92,120**

Environmental engineers play an important role in addressing issues related to public health, water and air pollution, waste disposal, and more. Responsibilities may include conducting hazardous waste studies, inspecting industrial facilities, preparing reports, and advising corporations and government agencies.

Structural Engineer

Median salary: $84,830***

Structural engineers design and analyze support systems for buildings, bridges, tunnels, towers, and other large structures. Responsibilities associated with the role include calculating the load and stress a building can withstand, obtaining regulatory construction permits, supervising construction, collaborating with architects and builders, and overseeing budgets.

Surveyor

Median salary: $78,265****

Surveyors establish property boundaries by taking precise measurements. Their work guides construction projects and is essential to the buying and selling of property. Responsibilities can include preparing plots, maps, and reports, researching land records, recording and interpreting GPS data, and working in the field at construction sites.

Sustainability Engineer

Median salary: $86,521*

Sustainability engineers develop products or systems that use less energy or are more environmentally friendly — and thus more sustainable. Examples of sustainable products include electric vehicles and low-energy light bulbs. Sustainably engineers can work in industries including manufacturing, construction, and agriculture.

Transportation Engineer

Median salary: $88,037*

Transportation engineers design, plan, and help implement transportation systems such as highways, bridges, and train lines. This often involves anticipating population growth to ensure future needs of the community are met. Their jobs may include researching new projects, creating designs, supervising construction, and inspecting transportation systems for legal compliance.

*ZipRecruiter.com

**BLS

***Indeed.com

****PayScale.com

Lifelong Career Support 

With so many opportunities available to you, choosing the right career track might feel overwhelming. That’s where we can help. When you earn your Master of Science in Civil Engineering from OHIO, you become a Bobcat for life.

Whether it’s lifetime access to career coaching or networking opportunities with more than 250,000 fellow OHIO alumni, you can take comfort in knowing that we’ll be with you every step of the way as you strive to achieve your professional goals.