Civil engineering technologists and technicians review drawings and plans, work with engineers to prepare plans, estimate costs, draft drawings in computer aided design (CAD) software, run field surveys, test construction materials and soil, check that construction follows the design and codes, and keep reports and project records. The work splits between the office and the site.
The short answer: low exposure, with average growth. The ILO's 2025 index rates civil engineering technicians as not exposed, with a score of 0.28. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average, with about 6,100 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed civil engineering technicians are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technicians | Not exposed | 0.28 |
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Civil engineering technologists and technicians | Grow 3% | About 6,100 |
The BLS says bridges, roads, levees, airports and dams will need to be repaired, maintained and enhanced, more waste treatment plants will be needed and water systems must be maintained, and technicians will be needed to assist civil engineers on these projects. However, it says growth may be limited as improved drafting tools, such as CAD software, increase worker productivity.
Where software is helping
- Drafting project drawings faster with improved CAD tools, as the BLS describes.
- Drafting reports and cost estimates from project data.
- Organizing project files and records.
What stays with civil engineering technicians
- Fieldwork: surveying sites and inspecting structures.
- Testing: checking construction materials and soil samples.
- Site checks: making sure construction matches the design and codes.
- Checking AI help: generated estimates and reports can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Infrastructure work keeps demand steady, according to the BLS, while better drafting tools mean each technician gets more done. The field and testing work stays hands-on. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace engineers?, will AI replace drafters? and will AI replace surveyors?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for civil engineering technicians at $64,950 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: associate's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace civil engineering technicians?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 3 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 6,100 openings a year, though better CAD tools may limit growth.
How exposed are civil engineering technicians to AI?
The ILO rates civil engineering technicians as not exposed, with a score of 0.28.
What drives demand?
The BLS points to repairing and improving infrastructure such as bridges, roads, dams and water systems.
What do civil engineering technicians do?
They review plans, draft drawings in CAD, survey sites, test materials and soil, inspect construction and keep records.