Civil Engineers
Architecture and Engineering Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 17-2051.00
Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
High· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.008
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.30
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Show 14 hidden tasks17 rated tasks · 14 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (82.4%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- 1 rated task is not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; its score is kept as published for O*NET 27.2.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % | APIRaw / share % |
|---|---|---|
Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, or program modifications or structural repairs.17-2051.00 | 0.007651.7 | —0 |
Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.17-2051.00 | 0.003624.5 | 0.0093100.0 |
Test soils or materials to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel.17-2051.00 | 0.003523.8 | —0 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Prepare or present public reports on topics such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, or property and right-of-way descriptions.O*NET Task ID 152 | 1.0 |
Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.O*NET Task ID 147 | 0.5 |
Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations or establish reference points, grades, or elevations to guide construction.O*NET Task ID 150 | 0.5 |
Estimate quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility.O*NET Task ID 151 | 0.5 |
Conduct studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify engineering problems and assess potential project impact.O*NET Task ID 155 | 0.5 |
Analyze manufacturing processes or byproducts to identify engineering solutions to minimize the output of carbon or other pollutants.O*NET Task ID 19606 | 0.5 |
Design energy-efficient or environmentally sound civil structures.O*NET Task ID 19607 | 0.5 |
Design or engineer systems to efficiently dispose of chemical, biological, or other toxic wastes.O*NET Task ID 19608 | 0.5 |
Develop or implement engineering solutions to clean up industrial accidents or other contaminated sites.O*NET Task ID 19609 | 0.5 |
Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.O*NET Task ID 19610 | 0.5 |
Identify environmental risks and develop risk management strategies for civil engineering projects.O*NET Task ID 19611 | 0.5 |
Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, program modifications, or structural repairs.O*NET Task ID 20489 | 0.5 |
Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures, using computer-assisted design or drawing tools.O*NET Task ID 20491 | 0.5 |
Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, or other topographical or geologic data.O*NET Task ID 20492 | 0.5 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (16)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications. | Core |
| Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards. | Core |
| Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations or establish reference points, grades, or elevations to guide construction. | Core |
| Estimate quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility. | Core |
| Prepare or present public reports on topics such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, or property and right-of-way descriptions. | Core |
| Design energy-efficient or environmentally sound civil structures. | Core |
| Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations. | Core |
| Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, program modifications, or structural repairs. | Core |
| Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site. | Core |
| Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures, using computer-assisted design or drawing tools. | Core |
| Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, or other topographical or geologic data. | Core |
| Test soils or materials to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel. | Supplemental |
| Conduct studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify engineering problems and assess potential project impact. | Supplemental |
| Design or engineer systems to efficiently dispose of chemical, biological, or other toxic wastes. | Supplemental |
| Develop or implement engineering solutions to clean up industrial accidents or other contaminated sites. | Supplemental |
| Identify environmental risks and develop risk management strategies for civil engineering projects. | Supplemental |
0.29/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards. | E3 unstructured settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
Values for the whole SOC 17-2051 group (Civil engineers), not for this O*NET occupation alone.
- Employment, 2025
- 381K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 405K
- Change (2025–35)
- +6.4%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $100,840
- Typical education needed for entry
- Bachelor's degree
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23121 | 건축구조 기술자 | This occupation is broader | confirmed |
| 23131 | 토목구조 설계 기술자 | This occupation is broader | confirmed |
| 23132 | 토목감리 기술자 | This occupation is broader | confirmed |
| 23133 | 토목시공 기술자 | This occupation is broader | confirmed |
| 23134 | 토목안전 기술자 | This occupation is broader | confirmed |
| 23139 | 그 외 토목 관련 기술자 | This occupation is broader | confirmed |
| 23123 | 건축시공 기술자 | Overlapping, not the same | confirmed |
| 23125 | 건축안전 기술자 | Related, not a match | confirmed |
| 23129 | 그 외 건축 관련 기술자 | Related, not a match | confirmed |
| 23610 | 방재 기술자 및 연구원 | Related, not a match | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 2142Civil Engineers
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Civil engineers conduct research, advise on, design, and direct construction; manage the operation and maintenance of civil engineering structures; or study and advise on technological aspects of particular materials.
Tasks
- (a) conducting research and developing new or improved theories and methods related to civil engineering;
- (b) advising on and designing structures such as bridges, dams, docks, roads, airports, railways, canals, pipelines, waste-disposal and flood-control systems, and industrial and other large buildings;
- (c) determining and specifying construction methods, materials and quality standards, and directing construction work;
- (d) establishing control systems to ensure efficient functioning of structures as well as safety and environmental protection;
- (e) organising and directing maintenance and repair of existing civil engineering structures;
- (f) analysing the behaviour of soil and rock when placed under pressure by proposed structures and designing structural foundations;
- (g) analysing the stability of structures and testing the behaviour and durability of materials used in their construction.
Example occupations
Civil engineer · Geotechnical engineer · Structural engineer
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- civil engineerESCO 2142.1Same scope
Civil engineers design, plan, and develop technical and engineering specifications for infrastructure and construction projects. They apply engineering knowledge in a vast array of projects, from the construction of infrastructure for transportation, housing projects, and luxury buildings, to the construction of natural sites. They design plans that seek to optimise materials and integrate specifications and resource allocation within the time constraints.
- construction engineerESCO 2142.1.2This occupation is broader
Construction engineers interpret building designs and add technical specifications to construction projects. They integrate engineering principles into the designs to ensure that structures are safe and resistant. They work together with architects and engineers to transform design ideas into executable plans.
- drainage engineerESCO 2142.1.3This occupation is broader
Drainage engineers design and construct drainage systems for sewers and storm water systems. They evaluate the options to design drainage systems that meet the requirements while ensuring compliance with legislation and environmental standards and policies. Drainage engineers choose the most optimal drainage system to prevent floods, control irrigation and direct sewage away from water sources.
- pipeline engineerESCO 2142.1.7This occupation is broader
Pipeline engineers design and develop the engineering aspects for the construction of pipeline infrastructures in various kinds of sites (e.g. inland, maritime). They envision and create the specifications for pumping systems and for the general transport of goods through pipelines.
- transport engineerESCO 2142.1.9This occupation is broader
Transport engineers design and set the engineering specifications for the construction and development of roadways and transport infrastructure. They apply engineering concepts and knowledge for developing sustainable and efficient modes of transportation ranging from roads to canals, railways, and airports.
- civil engineering technicianESCO 3112.1Overlapping, not the same
Civil engineering technicians help design and execute construction plans and take on organisational tasks, for example in the planning and monitoring, and in bidding and invoicing of construction work. They also calculate material requirements, and help with the purchasing and organising, and ensure the quality of the construction materials. Civil engineering technicians may perform technical tasks in civil engineering and develop and advise on policy implementing strategies for road works, traffic lights, sewerage and water management systems.
- installation engineerESCO 2149.2.5Overlapping, not the same
Installation engineers oversee and manage the installing of structures, which take often many years to design and construct. They ensure safety, avoid risks and they aim to the optimalisation of costs. Installation engineers also create constructive designs of systems and perform installation system testing. They determine the material needed for the construction of these systems and the costs, and use CAD software to design these systems.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| F1122 | Ingénieur / Ingénieure Chantier nucléaire | This occupation is broader |
| F1137 | Chargé / Chargée de méthodes BTP | This occupation is broader |
| F1111 | Ingénieur / Ingénieure génie civil | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| F1106 | Ingénieur / Ingénieure d'études de prix BTP | Overlapping, not the sameprovisional |
| F1112 | Ingénieur / Ingénieure calcul et structure | Overlapping, not the sameprovisional |
| I1122 | Directeur / Directrice de travaux d'infrastructure | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 2432 | Ingenieros en construcción y obra civil | This occupation is broader |
| 2462 | Ingenieros técnicos de obras públicas | This occupation is broader |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 31104 | Berufe in der Bauplanung und -überwachung (ohne Spezialisierung) - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | This occupation is broader |
| 32104 | Berufe im Hochbau (ohne Spezialisierung) - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | This occupation is broader |
| 32204 | Berufe im Tiefbau (ohne Spezialisierung) - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | This occupation is broader |
| 24414 | Berufe im Metallbau - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 31144 | Berufe in der Wasserwirtschaft - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 34324 | Berufe im Rohrleitungsbau - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 092 | 土木技術者 | Same scope |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources