Career Overview
Develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare designs, specifications, or estimates for transportation facilities. Plan modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.
Also Known As
- Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Traffic Engineer
- Transportation Engineer
Alternate Job Titles
- Airport Engineer
- Civil Transportation Engineer
- Engineer
- Highway Civil Engineer
- Highway Engineer
- Highway Project Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Rail Engineer
- Road Engineer
- Roadway Designer
- Roadway Engineer
- Roadway Project Engineer
- State Roadway Design Engineer
- Traffic Engineer
- Traffic Operations Engineer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Design or prepare plans for new transportation systems or parts of systems, such as airports, commuter trains, highways, streets, bridges, drainage structures, or roadway lighting.
- Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices.
- Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices.
- Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function.
- Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules.
- Present data, maps, or other information at construction-related public hearings or meetings.
- Prepare final project layout drawings that include details such as stress calculations.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Develop plans for integration of drone technology into transportation systems for purposes such as delivery of goods or traffic monitoring.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Transportation
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Physics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
- Active Listening
- Systems Analysis
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Category Flexibility
- Written Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Mathematical Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
- Intellectual Curiosity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Bentley MicroStation
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Computer laser printers
- Desktop computers
- Digital cameras
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Mobile radios
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Civil Engineers occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Transportation Engineers.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $65,920 |
| Median | $99,590 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $160,990 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 355,410
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Civil Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $99,590
Transportation Planners
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $100,340
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $64,200
Traffic Technicians
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $58,480
Highway Maintenance Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $49,070
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.