A lot of people want to become a civil engineer, not in the least because it is a high earning, lucrative career. That said, famous civil engineers like Reddy Kancharla want to make sure that people understand that civil engineering is also hard work. One of the reasons why it is so well paid is because of the responsibility it carries. After all, their work is what keeps the general public safe. Colleges and universities all over the country have seen an influx of admission requests and Kancharla is working together with them to ensure there is realism about the creativity and challenges that the career brings with it.
Understanding Civil Engineering Salaries
The field is an incredibly tough job, and it requires people to do a lot of field work, but also a lot of planning and research. A starting salary for someone with at least some experience, obtained, for instance, through an internship, can expect to earn around $75,000 per year. Freshers with little to no experience will get significantly less, but their salary will grow rapidly.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers has reported that the average salary for entry level civil engineers was $52,443 in April 2010. Interestingly, as well, they were one of the only professions that saw a hike in their salary during the Great Recession. They saw a rise of 1.3% during this time.
Geographical location is also an important factor that determines salaries. One of the highest paying states is the District of Columbia, where civil engineers earn $94,520 per year on average. Other high paying states include Louisiana ($88,970), California ($87,180), Nevada ($85,820), and Delaware ($85,710).
The salary of a civil engineer also rises as they gain more experience. Rather than making occasional jumps, these professionals can see their salary rise year on year. Those with the greatest experience can expect to earn six figure incomes.
Who someone works for also has an impact on what someone can earn. Government employees usually earn less per year than those who work for private companies. However, in return for a lower salary, they do receive more benefits and a lot more security. On the other hand, those in the private sector can sometimes earn a bonus. Consultants, meanwhile, often earn the most, but they do not have any job security.
Lastly, there are a number of specialized subdisciplines in civil engineering. They include environment, infrastructure, forensics, and more. This can also have a significant impact on what somebody earns, although that is, to a degree, down to the fact that these engineers usually have master’s degrees rather than bachelor’s degrees.
Overall, however, the salary outlook for civil engineers is very good. It is no surprise, therefore, that so many people want to step in Reddy Kancharla’s footsteps and enter the profession. They will be happy to know that demand for these professionals is also very good and is, in fact, showing strong growth. As a result, very few find themselves jobless.