Life As a Transportation Engineer
Transportation Engineer Definition Develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare designs, specifications, or estimates for transportation facilities. Plan modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.
List of Transportation Engineer Job Duties
- Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
- Analyze environmental impact statements for transportation projects.
- Model transportation scenarios to evaluate the impacts of activities such as new development or to identify possible solutions to transportation problems.
- Evaluate traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
- Develop plans to deconstruct damaged or obsolete roadways or other transportation structures in a manner that is environmentally sound or prepares the land for sustainable development.
- Design transportation systems or structures, using sustainable materials or products, such as porous pavement or bioretention structures.
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What a Transportation Engineer Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Transportation Engineers say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Transportation Engineer
- Transportation Engineer
- Airport Manager
- Rail Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Airport Engineer
Job Outlook for Transportation Engineers
In the United States, there were 303,500 jobs for Transportation Engineer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 32,200 new jobs for Transportation Engineer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 25,900 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Transportation Engineer are Utah, Tennessee, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Mississippi, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Transportation Engineer Make?
The salary for Transportation Engineers ranges between about $54,780 and $142,560 a year.
Transportation Engineers who work in Alaska, California, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Transportation Engineers in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $84,320 |
| Alaska | $125,470 |
| Arizona | $84,770 |
| Arkansas | $81,780 |
| California | $109,680 |
| Colorado | $93,560 |
| Connecticut | $93,630 |
| Delaware | $91,410 |
| District of Columbia | $99,820 |
| Florida | $89,480 |
| Georgia | $81,110 |
| Hawaii | $86,680 |
| Idaho | $78,280 |
| Illinois | $94,570 |
| Indiana | $82,420 |
| Iowa | $83,940 |
| Kansas | $82,340 |
| Kentucky | $82,840 |
| Louisiana | $98,700 |
| Maine | $82,160 |
| Maryland | $86,110 |
| Massachusetts | $94,210 |
| Michigan | $82,240 |
| Minnesota | $90,760 |
| Mississippi | $85,880 |
| Missouri | $86,710 |
| Montana | $77,480 |
| Nebraska | $84,240 |
| Nevada | $100,700 |
| New Hampshire | $83,970 |
| New Jersey | $103,760 |
| New Mexico | $88,840 |
| New York | $102,250 |
| North Carolina | $86,270 |
| North Dakota | $83,460 |
| Ohio | $82,180 |
| Oklahoma | $91,090 |
| Oregon | $88,270 |
| Pennsylvania | $88,740 |
| Rhode Island | $87,220 |
| South Carolina | $84,660 |
| South Dakota | $77,030 |
| Tennessee | $93,810 |
| Texas | $102,990 |
| Utah | $80,690 |
| Vermont | $74,960 |
| Virginia | $94,780 |
| Washington | $93,120 |
| West Virginia | $82,210 |
| Wisconsin | $78,660 |
| Wyoming | $85,220 |
What Tools do Transportation Engineers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Transportation Engineers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Python
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Structured query language SQL
- Bentley MicroStation
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Autodesk Land Desktop
- Bentley GEOPAK Civil Engineering Suite
- Citilabs Cube
- McTrans HCS+
How to Become a Transportation Engineer
What education is needed to be a Transportation Engineer?
What work experience do I need to become a Transportation Engineer?
Where Transportation Engineers Work
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Transportation Engineer may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Daniel Christensen via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
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