Career Pathway for: 
Highway Engineer
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A career in highway engineering involves planning roadway construction and improvement projects. Before a road structure can be designed, the Engineer must determine the exact route the road will take, how many lanes are needed, how this road interfaces with other roads, and how the flow of traffic will be maintained. Design of the roadway system involves many considerations including safety, parking, traffic calming, pedestrian and bike paths, drainage, highway signs, road markings, signal systems, roadway lighting, impact attenuators, and guide rails. The Roadway Design Engineer conducts traffic studies, participates in public meetings, writes technical reports, and conducts construction analyses.
Senior Level Occupations
Typical Education and Certification Requirements
Master's degree in Civil Engineering (Transportation Geometric Design)Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (Highway Engineering)Senior Highway Engineer
Job Description: Senior Highway Engineers provide the expertise of a seasoned engineer to all conventional aspects of functional area and applies advanced concepts and techniques to unconventional engineering problems.
Hiring Demand: Low
Typical Salary: $113,000
Minimum Years Experience Required: 8
Education & Work Experience:
More- Master's degree in Civil Engineering (Transportation Geometric Design)
Highway Engineer
Job Description: The Roadway Design Engineer prepares plans and specifications for roadway construction and improvement projects. Before a road structure can be designed, the Engineer must determine the exact route the road will take, how many lanes are needed, how this road interfaces with other roads, and how the flow of traffic will be maintained.
Hiring Demand: Low
Typical Salary: $91,200
Minimum Years Experience Required: 3-5
Education & Work Experience:
More- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (Highway Engineering)
Mid Level Occupations
Typical Education and Certification Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (Transportation)Senior Project Engineer
Job Description: Senior Project Engineers are responsible for project execution and delivery within scope, budget, and schedule from initial start-up through project closeout. Senior project engineers coordinate the efforts of an assigned design team to ensure completeness and accuracy of design effort. The Sr. Project Engineer – Roadway is also expected to serve as technical liaison with the client on project efforts.
Hiring Demand: Moderate
Typical Salary: $87,475
Minimum Years Experience Required: 6-8
Education & Work Experience:
More- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (Transportation)
Project Engineer
Job Description: Project Engineers are expected to obtain an in-depth knowledge of the plans, specifications, site conditions and requirements for the work which is assigned.
Hiring Demand: Moderate
Typical Salary: $77,670
Minimum Years Experience Required: 3-5
Education & Work Experience:
More- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (Transportation)
Transportation Engineer
Job Description: Transportation Engineers design the plans for transportation systems or parts of systems. They work on transportation projects for highways, streets, bridges, drainage structures, roadway lighting, as well as airports and commuter trains.
Hiring Demand: Moderate
Typical Salary: $69,200
Minimum Years Experience Required: 0-2
Education & Work Experience:
More- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (Transportation)
Entry Level Occupations
Typical Education and Certification Requirements
Associate's degree in Civil Engineering TechnologyEngineering Technician
Job Description: Engineering Technicians read and review project drawings and plans to determine the sizes of structures, observe project sites and evaluate contractors’ work to detect problems with a design, and help to ensure that project construction conforms to design specifications and applicable codes.
Hiring Demand: High
Typical Salary: $55,800
Minimum Years Experience Required: 0.5-2
Education & Work Experience:
More- Associate's degree in Civil Engineering Technology