Is the Construction Engineer Career Path Good for You?
Do infrastructures like canals, dams, flyovers, railway tracks, and underpasses fascinate you?
If so, then you should consider pursuing a career in construction engineering.
If you are wondering: Is becoming a construction engineer a good choice for you?
We’ve got the answers for you.
To help you decide, this article will list down the reasons why a construction engineer career is a perfect fit for you, the average salary, the job responsibilities of construction engineers, and how you can become one.
Furthermore, we will also tell you about the skills, competencies, and educational requirements crucial to securing a construction engineering job.
So without any further ado, let’s discover why you should opt for a construction engineer career.
Top 5 Reasons to Be a Construction Engineer
Following are some reasons highlighting why a construction engineer career can great for you:
Reason#1: Job Stability
The first and foremost reason for pursuing a construction engineer career is that as long as the infrastructure of Canada and other advanced nations persists to evolve, construction engineering jobs will remain in high demand. In such countries, construction engineers are crucial for overseeing projects to reconstruct bridges, mend streets, modify levees and reservoirs, and upkeep airports and other structures.
Provincial and municipal government efforts to improve water supply and quality will almost certainly result in prospective construction engineering projects focused on enhancing water usage efficiency. Construction engineers are essential in satisfying energy needs, haulage, sewage treatment, earthmoving, pollution control, telecommunications, and infrastructure in emerging countries.
Reason#2: Industry Flexibility
Another reason for choosing a career in construction engineering is that construction engineers can work in a wide range of industries like several other engineering disciplines. For example, they can construct oil rigs, wind farms, flyovers in energy, devise plans for soil sampling in geotechnical, and develop pollution prevention technologies in the environmental sector. Construction engineers work outside on project locations to supervise the crew and operations. They are frequently referred to as “jacks of all trades” since they must acquire a broad range of engineering skills and knowledge.
Reason#3: Earn a Good Pay
A career in construction engineering is quite lucrative as it requires an immense amount of abilities and knowledge to become a construction engineer. This can be estimated through the salaries they earn. For instance, the median construction engineering salary in Canada is CAD 85,555 per year, while the most experienced workers can make up around CAD 105,000 per year. As you can probably tell by now, the highest-paying jobs in Canada require skilled construction engineers.
Reason#4: Creative Career
Construction engineers work on various projects with unique challenges and specifications. They may have to integrate resources in novel and creative ways, optimize operations to boost productivity or adjust to rising demands brought on by technology breakthroughs, population expansion, or the environment.
They have to use creative problem-solving skills to overcome these challenges. Construction engineers utilize technological devices that most people have never heard of or employed as a basis for management repertoire of “tools”. For instance, they use modern analytical engineering methods that take advantage of the most recent technological advancements to facilitate connectivity and collaborative engineering models.
Reason#5: Traveling Opportunities
Many construction engineers work on construction projects that are located in other countries. This provides them with the opportunity to travel to different parts of the world and see many different construction sites.
With the construction industry being so globalized, there are often construction projects happening in different parts of the world. This means that construction engineers often have the opportunity to travel to different countries to work on construction projects.
Duties & Responsibilities of a Construction Engineer
Those who pursue a construction engineer career typically have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Creating project designs and 3D models by employing computer software and simulations.
- Making a risk assessment.
- Investigating and planning the layouts of possible construction locations.
- Preparing contractor proposals and overseeing the contracting businesses they employ.
- Selecting and attaining materials and equipment.
- Designing and supervising the construction of on-site temporary structures.
- Implementing engineering and business expertise to tackle any issues that may arise during the construction process.
- Managing funds effectively to remain within budget.
- Keeping up with the latest technology, building codes, and construction methods.
- Setting a budget for each project by estimating the cost of inspections, testing, materials, equipment, and labor.
- Recruiting, supervising, and scheduling employees.
- Ensuring that projects adhere to environmental laws, government ordinances, and construction codes.
Average Salary of a Construction Engineer in Canada
The average construction engineer salary is CAD 85,555 per year in Canada, translating to CAD 43.87 per hour.
Entry-level construction engineering job positions have a starting salary of CAD 70,376 per year or CAD 36.09 per hour. However, the most experienced construction engineers earn up to CAD 105,000 per year or CAD 53.85 per hour.
Following are the average annual salaries of construction engineers in different regions of Canada:
Name of Province: British Columbia
Average Annual Salary: CAD 80,613
Name of Province: Quebec
Average Annual Salary: CAD 57,525
Name of Province: Ontario
Average Annual Salary: CAD 77,598
Name of Province: Saskatchewan
Average Annual Salary: CAD 95,380
Name of Province: Alberta
Average Annual Salary: CAD 68,855
Name of Province: Manitoba
Average Annual Salary: CAD 57,500
Name of Province: Nova Scotia
Average Annual Salary: CAD 60,000
Educational Requirements of a Construction Engineer
Following are the educational requirements that are essential and will be beneficial in the construction engineer career path:
1. Obtain a high school diploma or GED
To become a construction engineer, the first thing you must do is obtain a high school diploma. However, in place of a diploma, you can also acquire the GED, for which you have to clear five tests.
2. Earn a bachelor’s degree
After obtaining a high school diploma, you must complete post-secondary studies at an accredited institution to earn your bachelor’s degree. It is ideal for earning a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering or engineering, which often includes a curriculum that empowers students to attain construction engineering jobs.
3. Attain the PE License
Next, you need to earn a PE license to pursue a career in construction engineering. The requirements for obtaining the PE license differ for each state; however, most states demand to have three-four years of experience under your belt.
Skills & Competencies of a Construction Engineer
Here is a list of the skills and competencies required for a successful career in construction engineering:
Communication Skills
Construction engineers must have oral and written communication skills to discuss ideas with all teammates successfully and provide clear project directions. They can also draft email messages utilizing their written communication skills.
Computer Skills
To get a construction engineering job, you must acquire solid computer skills as construction engineers make different kinds of blueprints using various computer software. They may also employ computers to analyze project performance and keep track of project deadlines.
Problem-Solving Skills
Construction engineers must possess problem-solving skills as they have to face concerns related to finance, scale, region, and resources when devising constructional project plans. They may also have to deal with hurdles during the project’s progress; therefore, problem-solving can help them steer clear of the barriers so that the crew can carry on with their work.
Project Management Skills
Construction engineers must have outstanding project-management skills for setting goals, devising strategies, gathering resources, and measuring performance for the project. Project management skills can also assist them in finishing projects on schedule and within the defined cost.
In-Demand Cities for a Construction Engineer Career in Canada
The following regions offer the most construction engineering jobs in Canada:
- Toronto, ON
- Calgary, AB
- Vancouver, BC
- Laval, QC
- Markham, ON
- Surrey, BC
- St. John’s, NL
- Montreal, QC
- Delta, BC
- Beaver Dam, NB
How to Get a Job as a Construction Engineer in Canada
Following are the steps you can take to get a construction engineering job:
- Acquire a high school diploma or GED.
- Earn a four-year bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from an accredited institution.
- Attain a two-year master’s degree if you want to level up your education to get better construction engineering job opportunities.
- Obtain the engineer-in-training (EIT) certification by passing the six-hour-long test.
- Earn a minimum of three years of entry-level construction engineering experience.
- Obtain the PE license by clearing the eight-hour-long examination.
You can start applying for a construction engineer career after earning the PE license.
If you’re actively looking for a trustworthy platform to apply for construction engineering jobs in Canada, you can head over to our job listings. We are a leading employment agency in Canada, providing a multitude of jobs in different industries.
Also, if you want to know about the top construction companies in Canada to gain a foot into, you can check out this blog.
Conclusion
Construction engineers play a vital role in the design and construction of everything from skyscrapers to roads. They work with architects, contractors, and other engineers to make sure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to specifications.
Construction engineering is an excellent career path for someone who enjoys working with their hands, has strong math skills, and likes problem-solving. It can be a challenging field but also very rewarding. There are many opportunities for advancement and growth within the industry.
We hope that this article rendered an in-depth knowledge about construction engineering and helped you decide if a construction engineer career is suitable for you.
The Primus Workforce team is proudly built on hands-on industry knowledge and experience.