Best Jobs After Civil Engineering | Top 15 Job Opportunities

Have you recently graduated with a degree in civil engineering and are wondering, “What’s next?” With your specialized skills, stepping into the job market can feel a bit overwhelming.

India needs over 4 million civil engineers over the next decade. Civil engineering is vast, covering everything from roads and bridges to water supply systems. While most graduates think of traditional roles like design and project management, there are many other opportunities you might not be aware of.

Whether you’re interested in sustainability, urban planning, or tech innovation, there are exciting roles where you can make a real difference. To help you explore these possibilities, we’ve put together a list of 16 jobs after civil engineering that you can consider.

Top Industries for Civil Engineering Career

The five most productive jobs after civil engineering in India are as follows:

1. Civil Services

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recruits candidates for various civil services. This can be the best civil engineering career option. Civil services are a career opportunity after civil engineering as you are aware of the physical structures. Also, knowing structures like roads and bridges will help you as a civil servant. You can make plans to benefit a city and its outskirts with your public utility structures.  

Some of the positions held by UPSC are: 

• Indian Administrative Service (IAS) 
• Indian Police Services (IPS) 
• Indian Foreign Services (IFS) 
• Indian Engineering Services (IES) 
• Indian Defence Accounts Services (IDAS) 

Many civil services aspirants appear for the UPSC exam, and a majority of them are engineers. Most of the UPSC toppers are also engineers. It might be because most engineers can learn a variety of courses in a short period. Civil services are one of the golden opportunities to bring a change around you. You can bring changes to the city with your knowledge and make the lives of people easier. You can make appropriate changes to manage traffic and improve public infrastructure. It is the most reputed job after Civil Engineering.  

2. Private Firms

Everyone wants to be their boss and want their firm. Similarly, after civil engineering, you can also go for your private construction firm. You can take private and public contracts to build residential and commercial buildings. Also, you can take government contracts to build roads, bridges, and dams. The sky is the limit when you decide to work in a private firm. There is always a need for construction services to make new infrastructures in this fast-growing world.  

You can hire other civil engineers and interior designers for your firm. You can take their help in the construction and designing of strong infrastructures. Also, you can build residential complexes that are worth crores. This is one of the best choices after civil engineering.  

3. Indian Armed Forces

Indian Armed Forces have three branches – the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force. After completing engineering, joining any of these forces is one of the greatest jobs after civil engineering. 

The government exams for entry into the Indian Armed Forces are as follows: 

• Indian Army – TGC or SSC 
• Indian Navy – SNAES 
• Indian Air Force – AFCAT 

Civil engineers play a vital role in military services. They are responsible for the planning and construction of the road borders of the country. They also build houses & offices for army people. Also, their job includes building bunkers during wartime and proper locations on the battlefield. This can be one of the best civil engineering jobs. 

4. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)

Working in PSUs is a good & reputable job after civil engineering as government jobs have multiple benefits. You have complete job security, even retirement benefits, and other benefits. You can work for public welfare and on big projects in PSUs. Thus, getting a job in PSUs is a much better option because of the perks & benefits. 

To get a job in the government sector, you need to get a very good score on the GATE exam. Every year various public sector undertakings hire fresh graduates through their GATE scores. The public sector undertakings that are best for civil engineers are as follows-  

• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) 
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) 
• Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) 
• Airports Authority of India (AAI) 
• Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) 
• NLC India Limited (NLC) 
• National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) 
• Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THCD) India Ltd 
• Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) 
• National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)

List of Top 15 Jobs After Civil Engineering

The civil engineering career brings forth several fascinating job opportunities for students. These jobs cover various top-notch industries and offer exciting salary packages after civil engineering. 

Here are the top 15 jobs after civil engineering: 

Jobs	Average Salary (INR)
Building Manager	6.75 LPA
Fire Manager	8.12 LPA
Construction Manager	13 LPA
Design Manager	5.78 LPA
CAD Technician	5.38 LPA
Field Service Engineer	2.55 LPA
Nuclear Engineer	11 LPA
Engineering Project Manager	16.25 LPA
Consulting Engineer	12 LPA
Water Resources Engineer	5 LPA
Planning Engineer	6 LPA
Geotechnical Engineer	7.5 LPA
Indian Engineering Services (IES)	4.7 LPA
Indian Armed Forces	21 LPA
Public Sector Engineers	15.28 LPA

Source- Glassdoor, AmbitionBox 

1. Building Engineer

Building engineers are responsible for providing maintenance and repair services to structures and buildings including apartments, workplaces, and healthcare facilities. They are concerned with all the physical aspects of a building or structure.  

They also oversee privately owned manufacturing facilities and hotels. A business engineer is one of the most righteous job profiles after civil engineering. 

Salary: The average salary of a building engineer ranges around INR 6.75 lakhs per annum. 

2. Fire Engineer

Fire engineering is one of the toughest and most demanding job opportunities after civil engineering. These engineers deal with the prevention of fire. Their role involves implementing fire safety and protection practices.  

Fire engineers play a vital role in public services. These engineers inspect for faults or damage in equipment and ensure the proper installation of fire safety systems. 

Salary: The average salary of a fire engineer is around INR 8.12 lakhs per annum.  

3. Construction Manager

Construction managers are professionals who oversee and direct construction activities in a building or structure project. They are responsible for creating cost estimates, work timetables, and devising budgets.  

Construction managers also comply with state and federal legal requirements including business and safety codes. It is one of the finest careers after civil engineering. 

Salary: The average salary of a construction manager is INR 13 lakhs per annum.  

4. Design Engineer

The collaboration with research and development teams for creating design parameters according to requirements is done by design engineers.  

Design engineers are responsible for identifying complex design problems, analysing root-cause failure, and anticipating production issues. They use software like CAD or CAE for creating models and plans. 

Salary: The average salary of a design engineer is INR 5.78 lakhs per annum.  

5. CAD Technician

CAD technician also known as draughtsperson is one of the righteous career options after civil engineering. These professionals use computer-aided design software (CAD) for the creation of technical drawings and project plans. They help in curating plans and projects for products and parts that are used in the construction, engineering, and manufacturing industries. 

Salary: The average salary of a CAD technician is around INR 5.38 lakhs per annum.  

6. Field Service Engineer

Often called engineering technicians, field service engineers are a great opportunity in the engineering career. These engineers maintain equipment, schedule repairs, and install electrical or engineering products.  

Field service engineers work directly with their clients to resolve electrical problems or situations that arise. 

Salary: The average salary of a field service engineer ranges around INR 2.55 lakhs per annum.   

7. Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear engineers are professionals who are responsible for researching new uses and management of nuclear power or materials. They design and develop nuclear equipment like radiation shielding and reactor cores.  

Nuclear engineers are responsible for examining nuclear accidents and analyzing data for designing prevention strategies. This is a highly demanding job after civil engineering. 

Salary: The average salary of a nuclear engineer is around INR 11 lakhs per annum.  

8. Engineering Project Manager

One of the enticing job roles after civil engineering is engineering project manager. These professionals are responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the development of new designs, products, processes, or offerings through their expertise.  

They lead the research and development stage of engineering projects and design plans for meeting the requirements. 

Salary: The average salary of an engineering project manager is INR 16.25 lakhs per annum.  

9. Consulting Engineer

Consulting engineers work to oversee and formulate plans and strategies for improving the performance of buildings or structures. These professionals are specialized in project design, coordination, and analysis.  

Consulting engineers provide insights for innovative and effective design strategies for private or public infrastructure projects. Consulting engineer is a great choice for a civil engineering career.  

Salary: The average salary of a consulting engineer is around INR 12 lakhs per annum.  

10. Water Resources Engineer

A water resource engineer is an engrossing career opportunity after civil engineering. These professionals are responsible for designing and executing plans for the development of water systems to ensure that they provide clean and safe water efficiently.  

They design various new equipment and systems for the management of human water resources. It is one of the most enticing jobs after civil engineering. 

Salary: The average salary of a water resource engineer is INR 5 lakhs per annum.  

11. Planning Engineer

Planning engineers design and develop plans for assisting the engineering teams in delivering projects on schedule. These professionals work to develop project plans and effective engineering techniques to ensure that the project meets the qualifications.  

They also develop strategies for future projects by analyzing past and present data. Planning engineer is one of the alluring job profiles after civil engineering. 

Salary: The average salary of a planning engineer is around INR 6 lakhs per annum.  

12. Geotechnical Engineer

A geotechnical engineer is one of the prominent jobs after civil engineering. These professionals are responsible for examining and analyzing soil and rock conditions to determine the sustainability and stability of a proposed structure, building, or mining site.  

Geotechnical engineers essentially work in the designing and planning process before construction commencement to assess the integrity of soil or ground. 

Salary: The average salary of a geotechnical engineer is INR 7.5 lakhs per annum. 

13. Indian Engineering Services (IES)

The role of an Indian Engineering Service (IES) officer is one of the most reputed job profiles after civil engineering. This job offers a great civil engineering career in the government sector. These officials maintain various technical and managerial functions of multiple divisions of the Government of India. They ensure the proper functioning of these units. 

Salary: The salary of an Indian engineering service officer is INR 4.7 lakhs per annum.  

14. Indian Armed Forces

Another respectful job profile in the government sector after civil engineering is the Indian armed forces. These officials plan operations, assign duties, and communicate effectively with the subordinate staff. They are also responsible for monitoring the welfare and progress of new recruits and training, commanding, and leading others. 

Salary: The average salary of an Indian armed forces officer is around INR 21 lakhs per annum.  

Defence exams in India are conducted by different commissions like UPSC, AFCAT and CDS to recruit candidates in the armed forces of the Military, Navy and Airforce.

15. Public Sector Engineers

There is a great scope after civil engineering in the public sector undertakings (PSUs). Civil engineers work for various government agencies at consulting or construction firms in the public sector. There are several jobs after civil engineering in supervisory or administrative positions. Also, many develop a civil engineering career in design, construction, or education domains in the public sector.  

Salary: The salary of a civil engineer in the public sector is INR 15.28 lakhs per annum. 

Chegg Expert – Become a subject matter expert

One of the exciting jobs after civil engineering is Chegg’s subject matter expert. Students throughout the world highly acknowledge Chegg for helping them with their studies.  

As a subject matter expert, you can earn well by answering questions posted by students on various topics on the Chegg platform. A wide range of subjects is available covering engineering, business, mathematics, and many more. You can choose your subject as per your area of expertise. 

Sign up now and enhance your civil engineering career. 

A Career in Civil Engineering

A civil engineer with propelling skills and knowledge has ample job opportunities. Every industry needs a professional who can design a perfect structure and then build it. Hence, the need for civil engineers will never get exhausted as the physical and natural structures will need a specialist to support them.

There is a great scope for students after civil engineering. You can get the opportunity to work in various reputed industries and even in the government sectors. With prolonged advancements in technology, the civil engineering career is now far-reaching. A civil engineering career is indeed a flourishing opportunity! 

Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on Career Advice.

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