Top 10 Highest-Paying Civil Engineering Careers (Latest Updates)

There are a variety of jobs that exist from the lowest paying to the highest. When it comes to construction field and if you have a civil engineering degree and If you’re interested in a career in construction, there are many options in front of you and be sure to explore all the options available to you. There are many high-paying civil engineering jobs out there.

Civil engineering continues to offer rewarding and high-paying careers, especially for professionals with specialized skills. Here are the top 10 highest-paying civil engineering roles in 2025, along with their typical responsibilities and what makes them lucrative.

Top 10 Highest-Paying Civil Engineering Careers

1. Structural Engineering

Structural engineering is a branch coming under the civil engineering that is concerned with the structural design of man made structures. These engineers need to understand the rigidity, stability, and strength of both buildings and non-building structures. Structural engineers should have a deep knowledge in mathematics, physics and material science. These engineers should understand the structural performance of different materials and geometries in order to apply structural engineering design concepts to build structural systems.

The average salary of a structural engineer ranges from INR 3,00,000 to INR 15,00,000 depending on experience and skills.

Duties Of A Structural Engineer

• Designing frameworks
• Analysing responses to forces like wind and earthquakes
• Selecting appropriate materials
• Overseeing construction
• Prioritising safety
• Considering environmental impact and
• Working on renovations and specialised structures.

2. Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering that is concerned with improvisation and defending society and life by using natural materials like soil and rock. It has applications in military, mining, petroleum and other engineering disciplines that are concerned with construction occurring on the surface or within the ground. Geotechnical engineers use their knowledge to determine the chemical, mechanical and physical properties of soil and rock for the design of earthworks, foundations and retaining structures. A site investigation of ground conditions is used to determine the depth of foundations, while earthworks may include embankments, channels, bunds and tunnels, and retaining structures include retaining walls and earth-filled dams.

The average salary of a geotechnical engineer ranges from INR 3,00,000 to INR 14,00,000.

Duties Of A Geotechnical Engineer

Designing tunnels

Evaluating pavement materials and

Conducting environmental impact assessments.

3. BIM (Building Information Modeling) Specialist

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a highly sought-after specialization within the civil engineering field. BIM specialists focus on creating and managing digital models of construction projects, enhancing collaboration, efficiency, and accuracy across project teams. With the growing adoption of BIM technologies worldwide, the demand for skilled BIM professionals is on the rise. Civil engineers with expertise in BIM tools such as Revit, Navisworks, and AutoCAD are increasingly valued in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry.

The average salary of a BIM specialist ranges from INR 4,00,000 to INR 12,00,000.

Duties of a BIM Specialist

• Creating detailed 3D models for construction projects.
• Coordinating design workflows among architects, engineers, and contractors.
• Conducting clash detection to identify design conflicts.
• Integrating sustainable design strategies into projects.
• Ensuring compliance with BIM standards and guidelines.

By pursuing a BIM Certification, civil engineers can enhance their skills in digital construction workflows and secure high-paying roles in the rapidly evolving construction industry.

 4. Construction Engineering

It is a specialised branch of civil engineering that deals with the designing, planning, construction, and operations management of infrastructure such as roadways, tunnels, bridges, airports, railroads, facilities, buildings, dams etc. Construction engineers work together on a project’s building design and engage problem-solving skills with architects and engineering technicians. Construction engineers are involved in nearly every step of a construction project, from its design to its implementation. They manage building projects and maintenance, often being present to oversee workers and activities on-site.

The average salary of a construction engineer ranges from INR 3,00,000 to INR 10,00,000.

Duties Of Construction Engineer

• Planning
• Designing
• Managing and  Executing infrastructure
• Building projects

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5. Materials Engineering 

It is a subdiscipline of civil  engineering, that  plays a significant role in improving the performance and durability of materials, which contributes to innovation, safety, and sustainability. They source, test and assess the materials that are used in construction. Their task is to make sure that  building foundations and materials are suitable and offer guidance on the best materials to use for a project, based on their individual properties, project costs and timeframes.

The average salary of a material engineer ranges from INR 3,00,000 to INR 10,00,000.

Duties Of A Materials Engineer

•  Evaluate material properties
• Develop new materials
• Conduct tests
• Ensure quality control

6. Transportation Engineering

It is a sub-discipline of civil engineering. Transport engineering is an application of technology to the planning and management of facilities for any mode of transportation inorder to provide safe and efficient movement ofmpeople and goods. It is mainly concerned with the application of modern technology and scientific principles to the design, development and maintenance of transportation systems. It involves development of transport model which will accurately represents both the current as well as future transportation system.

The average salary of a transportation engineer ranges from INR 3,00,000 to INR 8,00,000.

Duties Of A Transportation Engineer

• Long-term transportation planning
• Roadway design, traffic management
• Public transit systems, safety measures
• Infrastructure maintenance
• Integration of technology for efficient traffic flow.

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7. Quantity Surveyor

Quantity surveyors are used to work under the construction enginneering field. They are also known as cost consultants who provide a systematic method to improve the value of goods or products by examining their function. The primary task of a quantity surveyor is to analyze the existing budgets and makes improvement by reviewing the plans. They should have a negotiable mentality to deal with the contractors and vendors and have to maintain a smooth relationship with clients and the site manger.

The average salary of a Quantitty surveyor ranges from INR 2,00,000 to INR 8,00,000.

Duties Of A Quantity Surveyor

• Reviewing construction plans and preparing quantity requirements.
• Scrutinizing maintenance and material costs, as well as contracts to ensure the best deals.
• Liaising with site managers, clients, contractors, and subcontractors.
• Preparing reports, analyses, contracts, budgets, risk assessment, and other documents.
• Advising managers and clients on improvements and new strategies.
• Keeping track of materials and ordering more when required.
• Documenting any changes in design and updating budgets.
• Establishing and maintaining professional relationships with external and internal stakeholders.
• Traveling from the office to various sites as required.

 8. Civil Engineering Designer

A civil Designer engineer is responsible for building, improving and maintaining an environment which we live. They analyze the proposed structure ant its materials to check whether it can withstand the expected loads and forces. Civil designers primarily work in office environments, but also sometimes travel to proposed building sites. Civil designers find full-time and independent contractor work with building and architectural firms, construction companies, governments, and private businesses of all kinds.

The average salary of a civil engineering designer ranges between INR 2,00,000 to INR 10,00,000.

Duties Of A Civil Designer Engineer

• Develop cost-effective design layouts based on construction specifications and requirements.
• Perform civil design analysis and calculations according to project requirements.
• Determine construction cost and material estimates based on civil designs.
• Manage design projects within allotted timelines and budgets.
• Provide assistance to design and construction teams.
• Perform design changes and improvements according to changing project demands.
• Consider health, safety and environmental requirements when developing civil designs

9. Water Resource Engineer

Water resources engineer jobs are found in local, state or federal government agencies and in private corporations. They usually spend most of their days planning and mapping for a specific location’s water needs, and may need to occasionally travel to more accurately assess the local water resource situation. Water resource engineers also work on flood control projects and help map out drainage systems for dealing with water flow. In the beginning, water resource engineers are expected to know the basics of water management and planning. Some companies may offer additional training or subsidize additional certifications.

The average salary of a water resource engineer ranges from INR 2,00,000 to INR 12,00,000.

Duties Of A Water Resource Engineer

• Producing designs, both initial outlines and full plans, for sewerage, water treatment, flood defence structures and other water-related projects.
• Using specialist software to map out scenarios such as flood defence failure.
• Managing and maintaining water and sewerage infrastructure operations.
• Presenting project details and technical information to colleagues and clients.
• Keeping up to date with changes in regulatory legislation and guidelines.
• Writing and advertising tender documents and managing contracts.
• Liaising with clients, contractors, government agencies, local authorities and suppliers.
• Engaging in public consultations about water projects.
• Monitoring conditions at sites – for example, checking water levels.
• Maintaining professional relationships with clients.
• Supervising staff and site workers.
• Ensuring that projects keep to budgets and timescales.
• Maintaining an awareness of current environmental issues.

10. Planning & Scheduling Engineer

A Planning and Scheduling Engineer is a specialized civil engineering role focused on developing, managing, and monitoring project schedules to ensure timely and efficient completion of construction or infrastructure projects. These professionals are critical in coordinating tasks, resources, and timelines, ensuring projects stay on track, within budget, and aligned with client expectations.

The average salary of a Planning and Scheduling Engineer ranges from INR 2,00,000 to INR 12,00,000.

Duties Of A Planning & Scheduling Engineer

• Create project schedules using Primavera or MS Project

• Monitor critical path and update timeline regularly

• Analyze resource allocation and labour deployment

• Generate earned value reports and forecasting

• Work alongside project managers to mitigate delays

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Parting Thoughts

Civil engineers with specialized technical knowledge and project management skills are in high demand globally. Roles like Project Manager, Planning Engineer, QS Officer, and Infrastructure Specialist offer both financial rewards and career satisfaction.

Start building your expertise in these areas today and position yourself for a successful, high-paying international engineering career. Check out Entri’s Quantity Surveying course to land a high-paying job.