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Transportation Engineer

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What is a Transportation Engineer?

Job Description & Duties 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.

Transportation Engineer Responsibilities

  • Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials.
  • Develop or assist in the development of transportation-related computer software or computer processes.
  • Participate in contract bidding, negotiation, or administration.
  • Evaluate transportation systems or traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
  • Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function.
  • Direct the surveying, staking, or laying-out of construction projects.

Things a Transportation Engineer Should Know How to Do

When polled, Transportation Engineers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

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.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Types of Transportation Engineer Jobs

  • Traffic Engineer
  • Roadway Designer
  • Transportation Consultant
  • Transportation Planning Engineer
  • Transportation Analyst

What Kind of Transportation Engineer Job Opportunities Are There?

There were about 303,500 jobs for Transportation Engineer in 2016 (in the United States). 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.

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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.

Average Transportation Engineers Salary

The average yearly salary of a Transportation Engineer ranges between $54,780 and $142,560.

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Transportation Engineers who work in Alaska, California, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.

How much do Transportation Engineers make in each U.S. state?

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
  • Bentley InRoads Suite
  • Trafficware SimTraffic

Becoming a Transportation Engineer

What kind of Transportation Engineer requirements are there?

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What work experience do I need to become a Transportation Engineer?

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Where Transportation Engineers Are Employed

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those thinking about becoming a Transportation Engineer might also be interested in the following careers:

References:

Image Credit: Daniel Christensen via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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