How to become a Civil Engineer: Career Guide, Courses, Jobs, Scope, Salary

Civil Engineering is the oldest branch of engineering that deals with the construction and maintainance of buildings, roads and other structures. Civil engineers are skilled professionals who plans, designs, builds, maintains, and operates infrastructure while safeguarding the public's and the environment's health, as well as enhances neglected existing infrastructure.Civil engineering is one of the most titled professions witnessing around 25,000 Students every year. A career as a civil engineer is not an easy one to pursue, one has to follow a few steps and an education of not less than 4 years. 

In order to become a civil engineer aspiring candidates can pursue undergraduate or postgraduate Civil Engineering Courses from any of the Top Civil Engineering Colleges across the country. The minimum eligibility criteria required to become a Civil Engineer is, candidates need to opt for Science after their secondary education and then pursue B.Tech in Civil Engineering to finally become an Civil Engineer. Admission to B.Tech courses is through both Engineering Entrance Exams and Merit based.JEE Main, BITSAT, VITEEE are some of the engineering entrance exams. Check: Civil Engineer Jobs

Apart from BTech Civil Engineering, you can also pursue Diploma in Civil Engineering to become a Civil Engineer in respective fields. After the completion of B.Tech, M.Tech, graduates in this field can work in areas like construction and structures, environmental construction, irrigation, urban development, land development. After the completion of B.Tech Course, once the student starts practicing as a Civil Engineer, he will start earning INR 4 – 8 LPA. Read More: Civil Engineer Salary

All About Career as a Civil Engineer

Industry Engineering
Eligibility BTech Civil Engineering
Average Starting Salary INR 4,00,000 - INR 8,00,000
Job Opportunity environmental construction, irrigation, construction and structures, urban development, land development etc.

Steps to Become a Civil Engineer 

There are some significant 5 Steps that can be followed to know how to become a Civil Engineer, here we have given the steps that you can follow, 

  • Decision Making: Decision Making is the most crucial step while choosing a career option. For students who aspire to become Civil Engineers should decide it pretty early so that they can start preparing themselves for the course and its other prerequisites.
  • Subjects Choices: Aspiring Civil Engineering students should foremost choose their subjects which would help them in future get admitted to a reputed college. Civil Engineering requires students to have a mandatory subject combination of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics during their class 12th board exams. 
  • Entrance Exam Preparation: After appearing for the 10+2 exam one can appear for any Entrance examination and only after qualifying it one would be able to start with their Civil Engineering course. After qualifying for the examination, every student would be given a particular college through counseling where they can start their graduation course.
  • Selecting Correct Colleges: If you are aiming to get admission in government colleges then you will have to score very good marks in intermediate and Entrance. If your marks are low then you end up getting only a private college, which accepts your marks. Experts and professionals say it is always better to take admission in government colleges as they have the best facilities.
  • After Qualifying Exam: Appearing for Entrance and taking admission in the best college is just the beginning of your journey. This journey is a 4 year long journey that has to be completed with a lot of patience and dedication. The 4 year Civil Engineering course consists of several theoretical and practical classes.
  • Pursue Internship: After completing your Bachelor's course, every student has to do an internship. Usually right after the course is complete, most of the students are offered internships in different Organizations, but if anyone wants then they can go for higher studies as well.

Types of Civil Engineers

A career as a Civil Engineer is very rewarding as it offers a wide range of opportunities. The bindings of a Civil Engineer are very few, they can either start working with government and private companies.

Construction Engineers 

Their job role is to manage construction work and to guarantee that the construction is finished within time. Construction engineers are commonly liable for the plan and safety of impermanent design during development.

Geotechnical Engineers 

Their duty is to ensure that the establishments of the structures, roads, runways, dams and so forth center around how constructions worked by civil engineers, like buildings and tunnels, cooperate with the earth (including soil and rock).

Civil Engineers 

They manage basic issues like disaster mitigation and management. They are professionals who conceive, design, build, supervise, operate, construct and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment.

Highway Engineers 

They are answerable for arranging and designing street organization, one way system, parking spots. Highway Engineers are concerned about road building and traffic management.

Structural Engineers 

Their responsibility is to plan and evaluate major projects, like buildings, bridges, or dams, to guarantee their durability and strength. They design structures such as buildings, bridges, tunnels, etc and work primarily as consultants to architects or design-build contractors.

Read More Jobs for Civil Engineers

How to Become a Civil Engineer in India

Becoming a Civil Engineer in India has a very conventional process. Students who wish to become Civil Engineers in India must start preparation early as this will be beneficial for them.

School Level Preparation:

  • Every student who wishes to pursue a career as a Civil Engineer must choose a good subject combination such as Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at a higher secondary level. They are required to start their preparation early and choose their subjects properly. 

How to Become a Civil Engineer After 12th? 

To become a civil engineer, candidates must pursue civil engineering courses after completing their 10+2.

UG Preparation 

After completion of their class 10+2, one will have to clear the relevant entrance examination and complete any Civil Engineering course. The graduation course is of 4 years in India.

PG Preparation 

Once you have completed your undergraduate degree and have cleared your entrance you're ready for the course. After completion of B.Tech in Civil Engineering, they can pursue M.Tech in their respective field.

Courses to Become a Civil Engineer

Below given is a list of various courses that a candidate must pursue to become a Civil Engineer.

BTech Civil Engineering 

BTech Civil Engineering is an undergraduate engineering degree of 4 years. It is a perfect course to pursue, as India is a developing nation and the need for skilled civil engineers is high to design and build infrastructure projects. 

BTech Civil Engineering: Admission Process 

Admissions are done through entrance exam mode or direct admission through various quotas. The step-by-step process to get admission to BTech Civil Engineering is mentioned below.

  • They need to fill up the application form with all necessary details with care.
  • They need to scan and upload all required documents like mark sheets as specified by the institute’s application portal.
  • A minimal registration fee is to be paid online during the submission of the application form.
  • Results are announced after a couple of weeks for admission to this course. Successful candidates can move on to the next round of counseling.

BE Civil Engineering

BE Civil Engineering is a 4 year UG course dealing with the construction, design and maintenance of structures such as bridges, canals, tunnels, etc. Throughout the course students study Basic Steel Design, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Project Management and many others.

BE Civil Engineering: Admission Process

Admission to BE Civil Engineering is mostly based on entrance. However few colleges conduct their own entrance exams. Below given is a process for the same.

  • Candidates need to register themselves on the college portal with all the required details.
  • They need to upload the required documents on the portal.
  • Later, they need to pay the requisite application fee for completion of the Registration Process.
  • Post completing all the formalities, they need to appear for the exam and qualify with the merit marks to get admission in the desired college.

MTech Civil Engineering 

MTech Civil Engineering is a 2 year PG course studying technical programs which deals with designing, supervision and building of roads, bridges, tunnels, buildings, airports, dams, sewage systems, ports etc. 

MTech Civil Engineering: Admission Process 

  • Candidates need to register themselves for the entrance test by providing their email id, mobile number, etc.
  • On creation of the login id, they have to fill up the application form by providing their personal and academic details.
  • Candidates have to upload the necessary documents such as photograph, signature, id proof, UG degree etc.
  • Students have to pay the requisite amount of application fee via the available payment methods.
  • After completing all the registration formalities they need to appear for the exam and clear it with the merit marks

How to become a Civil Engineer Abroad

Pursuing Civil Engineering Course abroad is one of the most sought-after professions, one does not have to worry much about his/her future if they become Civil engineer. The level of difficulty of the program is almost similar to what it is in india.

USA 

Civil Engineering programs in the USA are approached by various worldwide Students. Some of the universities in this country are known as the best colleges for Masters in Civil Engineering. Civil Engineering post graduation courses in this country are predominantly offered as MS in Civil Engineering.

College Name Average Fees 
MIT INR 39 LPA
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) INR 88,000
Massachusetts Institute of Technology INR 19 LPA
University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) INR 25 LPA
Stanford University INR 40 LPA
Georgia Institute of Technology INR 31 LPA
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) INR 24 LPA

Canada

Scope of Masters in Civil Engineering in Canada is tremendous though numerous foreign students pick this country for this particular course. Course structure for Masters in Civil Engineering in Canada urges people to explore characteristics of this field. 

College Name Average Fees
University of Waterloo INR 37 LPA
University of Toronto INR 20 LPA
University of Ottawa INR 27 LPA
University of Victoria INR 15 LPA
University of Saskatechwan INR 10 LPA

UK 

Civil Engineering in the UK is a 1.5 to 2-years course in structural engineering, environmental engineering, road/highway engineering, and transportation engineering. The annual tuition fees ranges from £22,750 to £36,950 per annum approximately. 

  • Education Requirements - They must have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with GPA 3.0~ 60-70%. 
  • Other Requirements - GRE or GMAT test scores with a Proof of English proficiency
University Annual Tuition Fees 
University of Cambridge INR 30 LPA
University of Oxford INR 26 LPA
University of Cambridge INR 30 LPA
Imperial College of London INR 31 LPA
University of Oxford INR 26 LPA
University of Nottingham INR 29 LPA
University of Bristol INR 28 LPA

Australia

To become a Civil Engineer in Australia, one must have a UG or PG degree in the domain of Civil Engineering. After a few years of practice and training one can call themselves a Civil Engineer. Later some graduates also get PG degrees or a Ph.D. degree in the fieldCivil Engineering.

University Total Program Fee
University of Queensland INR 36 LPA
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) INR 26 LPA
University of Adelaide INR 59 LPA
University of Melbourne INR 42 LPA
University of Sydney INR 37 LPA
University of Western Australia (UWA) INR 40 LPA

Benefits of Career as a Civil Engineer

Being a Civil Engineer is perhaps the most presumed profession and you have different benefits of doing this work. Here, we have advanced a portion of the advantages of a career as a Civil Engineer.

High Salary 

Being a Civil Engineer is a titled job, but on the other hand most of the students are also attracted to the salary that the profession brings. Salaries of Civil Engineers are very attractive all across the world, hence one major reason why most science students wish to become Civil Engineers. 

Job Security 

Profession of a Civil Engineer is probably most secure, as long as a Civil Engineer has his license, he can practice anywhere in the world. Here, the Civil Engineers do not have to worry about staying relevant, they will just have to keep on doing what they do. Hence the job security of a Civil Engineer is probably higher than anything else. 

Continual Learning 

This profession gives you the opportunity to learn everyday until you practise. You never know when and how you get to learn something new. 

Unique Experience

Every time you work as a Civil Engineer, you can gain a lot of experience; it's a continuous learning process; every time you learn a strategy, a new technique, a new method, you can gain a lot of work experience.

Higher Studies

The career of a Civil Engineer has no full-stop, completing the bachelor in civil engineering is just the beginning. Then they will have to do an internship and then they will be placed in some consulting companies as a permanent Civil Engineer. 

Skills Required to Become a Civil Engineer

Technical Training Leadership Skills
Mathematical Skills Organizational Skills
Written Communication Skills Problem Solving
Oral Communication Skills Decision Making
Project Management Skills Attention to Detail

Salary of a Civil Engineer

The salary of Civil Engineers in India varies from INR 4,00,000 - INR 8,00,000, the digits change pertaining to what kind of job role the Civil Engineers have. The overall salary of a civil engineer is usually higher than any other profession which is why most students pursue.

Average Annual Salary 

Type Average Salary
Government Companies INR 2-6 LPA
Private Companies INR 4-8 LPA

Specialization Wise

Specialization Wise Average Salary
Construction Engineers INR 6-8 LPA
Geotechnical Engineers INR 6-8 LPA
Structural Engineers INR 4-7 LPA
Highway Engineers INR 4-6 LPA
Civil Engineers INR 5-7 LPA

Experience Wise 

Experience in Years Average Salary
1-4 INR 6,00,000
5-9 INR 8,00,000
10-19 INR 10,00,000
20+ INR 14,00,000

How to Become a Civil Engineer: FAQs 

Ques. Can I appear in the JEE Mains (Joints Entrance Exam) before completing 10+2?

Ans. You can register for the exam before passing out class 12th. But before counselling you have a valid 10+2 degree.

Ques. When can I apply for a B.Tech Civil Engineering course?

Ans. You can apply for a Civil Engineering course once you've completed your 10+2 from a recognised board/University and Qualified in Entrance Exam.

Ques. Should I have a Science background to appear for the entrance examination?

Ans. Yes, it's necessary for you to be from a Science background to apply for the entrance examination. 

Ques. What companies hire Civil Engineers?

Ans. Companies such as Hindustan Construction Company, L&T, DLF, Tata Projects, Sadbhav Engineering, Gammon India, Sobha Developers Ltd., Shapoorji Pallonji & Company, Unitech, Nagarjuna Construction Company, Punj Lloyd have also hired Civil Engineers.

Ques. What qualifications do you need to become a civil engineer?

Ans. Civil Engineers need a four year bachelor's degree. They commonly need a graduate education and a permit for advancement to senior positions. Despite the fact that licensure necessities change from one state to another, civil engineers generally should be authorized in the event that they offer types of assistance straightforwardly to Public.

Ques. Is it hard to become a civil engineer?

Ans. Civil Engineering is generally hard. Consider the amount of work related abilities expected to prevail in this profession. Furthermore, since practical experience is esteemed so profoundly in this field, you may likewise need to spend your summers interning just to get your foot in the door.

Ques. Is Civil Engineering a good career?

Ans. A job with a low anxiety, great balance between life and serious activities and strong possibilities to improve, get advanced and acquire a more significant compensation would fulfill numerous workers. Here's the way Civil Engineers job satisfaction is evaluated regarding up portability, stress level and flexibility.

Ques. How many years does it take to study Civil Engineering?

Ans. To turn into a civil engineer, you should acquire, at least, a bachelor degree (4 years) majoring in civil engineering. Civil Engineering Course should be done as a feature of a B.Tech in Civil Engineering, B.E in Civil Engineering as well as Diploma in Civil Engineering.

Ques. What is a Civil engineer salary in India?

Ans. The average salary of a civil engineer varies between INR 2,00,000 to INR 8,00,000 per year. This is the average starting salary, but it may vary depending on the types of civil Engineer jobs and with Experience.

Ques. Can M.Tech Civil Engineering be done after B.Tech from any branch?

Ans. Yes. You can pursue M.Tech Civil Engineering after B.Tech from any stream because it is a graduation course. You can also get a job after your B.Tech Degree.

Ques. What subjects should I study to become a civil engineer?

Ans. After admission in the civil engineering course, various subjects would be introduced, but at 10+2 level, one has to study Science subject (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) to be eligible for.

Bachelor of Technology [B.Tech] (Civil Engineering) : 98 answered questions

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Ques. How is civil engineering at IIT Ropar?

● Top Answer By Roshni Dikshit on 08 Sept 21

Ans. The Civil Engineering dept. at IIT Ropar believes in growing as well as standing out. The Head of the Department, Professor Deepak Kashyap is a highly experienced member of the faculty and has taught at IIT Roorkee. The students look up to him a lot. If we talk about the infrastructure, then new and advanced labs have been commissioned. In addition to that, a state-of-the-art Soil-Water-Plant lab has been set up which covers an area of 2.5 acres in the new campus. A number of text and reference books journals for research have been procured by the institute to be made available for the students for their convenience. The faculty is in constant interaction with the authorities of the Government of Punjab for organizing activities that involve collaboration. They have already conducted several studies in consulting and also building a training program for PUDA engineers. A computer model of groundwater flow and transport that is comprehensive is also being developed. Recently, the Newton-Bhabha has offered INR 1 crore as financial backing to the first research project of the department of civil engineering. It also plans to increase the intake of B.Tech aspirants and introduce the M.Tech course.Read more
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Ques. Is it worth studying civil engineering in NIT surathkal?

● Top Answer By Priyadarshini Sen on 23 Mar 21

Ans. The curriculum and faculty of NITK civil engineering is one of the most premium ones. The course is well articulated. This particular department makes you fall in love with the branch as well as the college on the whole. The atmosphere and the overall environment of the department brings about a lot of exposure, freedom and learning opportunities to the students. It is all thanks to the friendly and welcoming nature of the faculty here that the students on campus have established American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Chapter. This is of national importance. This is a technical society which has groomed and helped a number of aspiring civil engineers. There are a number of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities happening throughout the year which inculcate leadership qualities and much more. The scope after becoming a civil engineer in today’s world is endless. With the increasing use of drones and smart phones for image processing techniques to keep a check on structural health, post disaster analysis and real time progress of the ongoing construction projects, professionals and experts from all the fields like civil engineering, IT, computer science etc. are always in demand. No student has ever regretted the decision of choosing civil engineering in NITK.Read more
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Ques. How is Haldia Institute of Technology for Civil Engineering?

● Top Answer By Rana Mukesh Singh on 16 Sept 21

Ans. Haldia Institute of Technology has a decent infrastructure and a highly experienced faculty to impart the best of knowledge and practical learning for civil engineering. Regarding placement opportunities at this institute, you will need to score exceptionally good marks in GATE. Their GATE rank would determine the opportunities and placements in the corporate sector. Apart from the GATE rank, your technical knowledge, aptitude, and skills would give you an edge during campus recruitment. According to the recent placement highlights the average and highest CTC offered was 3.5 LPA and 24 LPA. Do not go for Software Companies once you are done with Civil Engineering as you would have to venture into alien fields of learning for acquiring related knowledge and expertise. Instead, go for companies that suit your course of study and would help you gain better experiences.Read more
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Ques. Should I go for civil engineering or metallurgy and material science engineering in NIT Trichy?

● Top Answer By Sreeja Prasad on 31 Aug 21

Ans. I would suggest you go for metallurgy if you plan to do a job right after completing your degree. Metallurgy has more job opportunities to offer. With Metallurgy, you can easily learn coding and go for tech companies. NIT Trichy has a great coding culture, so picking up coding skills will not be difficult.  If you plan to prepare for civil services or any other government job, I would suggest you go for civil engineering. When compared to metallurgy, there are fewer job opportunities in the civil department. If you plan on doing an MBA after having done your engineering, you can opt for either of them because then it does not matter anyway.Read more
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Ques. How is NIT Jamshedpur for civil engineering in terms of placement?

● Top Answer By Ayesha Bhoumik on 20 Apr 21

Ans. The placement records for Civil Engineering in NIT Jamshedpur are not considered to be the best.  One of the primary reasons behind this is the lesser number of companies actually approaching any Civil Engineers at the end of the day.  Nearly 60% of the students who are pursuing civil engineering get placed. At the same time, the opportunities that other branches receive regarding their placements can be heightened up to 90%. Most of the civil engineers approach in opting for GATE preparations and later in their lives, go up to securing government jobs.  There are students who primarily did not take Civil engineering in their years of study and instead chose to opt for Metallurgy in the same institute they are in. Civil engineering has an average placement of almost 60-70% in most of the NITs. It is somewhat similar in NIT Jamshedpur too since overall, it is not deeply bad. But, at the same time, it is not particularly good as well. Your placement also partially depends on your CGPA too.  L&T alone visits the campus of NIT Jamshedpur every single year and selects 15 -20 students in an approximate count. So you have several other options open for you via GATE OR IES.Read more
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