What Type of Engineer Works With Concrete?

Civil Engineering

• Civil engineering is one of the oldest branches of the engineering profession. These engineers design large structures, from highways to power plants and aqueducts and dams, and many of these projects require concrete as a main component. Therefore, while these engineers may not be in the field actively pouring concrete, they understand concrete's properties, limitations and strengths, and use these factors to accurately calculate concrete's role in a given project.

Importance of Concrete

• Civil engineers have to understand concrete's properties and incorporate these facts into their designs because concrete plays such a vital role in so many different structures. Different kinds of concrete are used in different projects, and engineers are also always looking for ways to maximize efficiency and safety. For example, engineers test concrete mixtures for their ability to withstand extreme temperatures, to ensure that new buildings will not collapse if there is a fire or explosion. Engineers also talk with construction professionals to understand what concretes work best in the field and what improvements would serve industry best.

Civil Engineering Industries

• Civil engineers use their knowledge of concrete to build large projects that depend on this material, so it's not surprising that the greatest number of jobs for engineers are related to architecture. Civil engineers work with architects to ensure that large designs, from skyscrapers to sports stadiums, use the right concrete mixtures to be safe and cost-effective. State and local governments are the second-largest employer of civil engineers, as they hire them to advise on which concretes are best for public works projects like power plants and highway structures.

Earnings

• Civil engineers earn generous salaries, given that they have such specialized knowledge of concrete and other materials, information that is vital to the success of a project. On average, civil engineers made an annual salary of $82,280 in 2010, and the highest 10 percent of these professionals made just under $120,000.