The field of civil engineering is essential for infrastructural development. In North Carolina, that need has only continued to grow. As more projects arise to improve transportation, energy systems, and sustainability, the demand for civil engineers remains high across the state, with a workforce of over 7,900 engineers today.
For students who want to pursue a career in civil engineering, it’s a great time to start. The existing labor shortage has been further exacerbated by an uptick in retirements during COVID. Along with the growth of design-build procurements and infrastructure investment, becoming a civil engineer could be a smart (and lucrative) move.
Interested graduates should consider a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE), with relevant options to study locally, nationally, or internationally. In North Carolina, there are 14 colleges of engineering accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Colleges like these will be doing their best to supply the next generation of civil engineers, but industry experts worry it’s not enough. Michelle Perry is the chief HR officer at Walter P Moore, a global engineering service provider. Talking about the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry in general, she says it’s “not done a great job of branding and making it enticing for students to go into this field.”
However, the labor shortage wasn’t only created through poor marketing. To put it simply, it’s a demographic issue. The baby boomer generation is retiring, and the generations that came after them haven’t had as many children. This has left a lot of unfulfilled positions at a time when infrastructure spending is ramping up like never seen before.
Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021, a total of $9.3 billion has been announced for North Carolina, with $6 billion of that to be allocated to transportation. That includes improvements, construction, or the reconstruction of airports, ports, public transit, roads, and bridges. As of March this year, North Carolina has more than 2,400 miles of highway and 1,303 bridges in poor condition.
A further $603 million has been announced to improve water infrastructure statewide, and almost $400 million has been allocated for power, clean energy, and energy efficiency. All of these works require skilled civil engineers.
The increase in projects and lack of labor is being felt in both the public and private sectors. Demand from public agencies is affecting private firms, with more engineers tending towards the fewer hours and less traveling that’s involved in public work. In general, there are simply more interested parties per candidate. Competition is high, and it’s pushing up salaries, too.
This is good news for any young and upcoming talent. From 2022 to 2023, base salaries increased by around 7%, with average annual earnings at $128,000, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the demand for civil engineers will continue for the next decade.
Ultimately, the future of North Carolina’s infrastructure depends on a new generation of civil engineers stepping up to meet the demand. Now is the time for aspiring students to seize this opportunity for a rewarding career.
