Civil Engineers
(NOC 2131)
in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information TechnologyCivil engineers plan, design, develop and manage projects for the construction, maintenance, and decommissioning of a wide variety of public and private structures and facilities. Structures and facilities include buildings, roads, airports, railways, bridges, tunnels, canals, dams, ports, water distribution and sanitation systems. Civil engineers work for engineering consulting companies, in all levels of government, construction firms and in many other industries, or they may be self-employed.
Job Outlook
Good
Read more
Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
Some larger civil engineering firms in Nova Scotia function as national organizations, so hiring conditions are not strictly reliant on the demand for engineering services within the province. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the ability of engineers to work on projects remotely. Demand for civil engineers has been supported by a large volume of government capital projects in recent years. Intermediate and senior engineers are in high demand, so jobseekers with several years of experience should find hiring conditions to be favourable. The job market is expected to be more competitive for junior engineers and recent graduates, however. Applicants with experience or expertise in environmental engineering may have an advantage as this is a growing field.
Hourly Pay
$27.09
Minimum$38.06
Median$52.25
MaximumAnnual Pay
$16,372
Minimum$76,920
Median$128,850
MaximumCompared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
Hourly Pay
$18.00
Minimum$34.90
Median$54.10
MaximumAnnual Pay
$13,568
Minimum$60,422
Median$107,009
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Civil engineers plan, design, develop and manage projects for the construction, maintenance, and decommissioning of a wide variety of public and private structures and facilities. Structures and facilities include buildings, roads, airports, railways, bridges, tunnels, canals, dams, ports, water distribution and sanitation systems. Civil engineers work for engineering consulting companies, in all levels of government, construction firms and in many other industries, or they may be self-employed.
Job duties
Civil engineers:
- Consult with clients and other members of the engineering team and carry out research to determine project requirements.
- Plan and design major civil projects like 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.
- Make sure construction plans meet guidelines and specifications of building codes and other regulations.
- Create and monitor construction work schedules.
- Perform feasibility studies, economic analyses, municipal and regional traffic studies, environmental impact studies or other investigations.
- Monitor air, water and soil quality and develop procedures to clean up contaminated sites.
- Carry out technical analyses of survey and field data for development of topographic, soil, hydrological or other information and prepare reports.
- Act as project or site supervisor for land survey or construction work.
- Prepare contract documents and review and evaluate tenders for construction projects.
- Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers and review and approve designs, calculations, and cost estimates.
Sample job titles
- architectural engineer
- civil engineer
- construction engineer
- environmental engineer
- geomatics engineer
- municipal engineer
- public works engineer
- structural engineer
- traffic operations engineer
- water and sewer engineer
Skills
- You should be interested in planning and designing buildings, bridges, dams, roadways, and other infrastructure. Problem-solving and decision-making skills are essential. You should be persistent, curious, and able to think in an analytical and logical manner. The ability to communicate and cooperate with others is important, as engineers often work in teams. Computer skills are also needed. The job typically requires good near and far vision.
Job requirements
- A bachelor's degree in civil engineering or in a related engineering discipline.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practice 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.
Other considerations
- Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and gain knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practice in related areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management. There is movement between civil engineering specializations at the less senior levels. Supervisory and senior positions in this group require experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$75,210 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$77,775 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$76,669 median annual incomeCape Breton
$93,265 median annual incomeSouthern
$51,956 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Professional, scientific and technical services
Public administration
Construction
Utilities
Manufacturing
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$76,194 median annual incomeMaster
$84,314 median annual incomeDiploma Above Bachelor
$84,000 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$74,960 median annual incomeDiploma Below Bachelor
N/ACompared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
College Diploma
$59,986 median annual incomeBachelor
$63,965 median annual incomeHigh school
$45,835 median annual incomeMaster
$65,105 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$57,773 median annual incomeEducation & training
Civil Engineering - General
University ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of structural, load-bearing, material moving, transportation, water resource, and material control systems, and environmental safety measures.
Institutions providing this program
Engineering - General
University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to solve a wide variety of practical problems in industry, social organization, public works, and commerce.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Truro, NS
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
University ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems for controlling contained living environments and for monitoring and controlling factors in the external natural environment, including pollution control, waste and hazardous material disposal, health and safety protection, conservation, life support, and requirements for protection of special materials and related work environments.
Institutions providing this program
Mathematics
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the analysis of quantities, magnitudes, forms, and their relationships, using symbolic logic and language. They include courses in algebra, calculus, functional analysis, geometry, number theory, logic, topology and other mathematical specializations.
Institutions providing this program
Sydney, NS
Physical Sciences
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the major topics, concepts, processes, and interrelationships of physical phenomena as studied in any combination of physical science disciplines.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.