Details Report for:
17-2051.01 - Transportation Engineers
Develop plans for surface transportation projects according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare plans, estimates, or specifications to design transportation facilities. Plan alterations and modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Interests | Work Values | Education | Wages & Employment
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Design or prepare plans for new transportation systems or parts of systems, such as airports, commuter trains, highways, streets, bridges, drainage structures, and roadway lighting.
- Supervise the maintenance or repair of transportation systems or system components.
- Analyze environmental impact statements for transportation projects.
- Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, and conformity to engineering standards and practices.
- Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules.
- Direct the surveying, staking, and laying-out of construction projects.
- Estimate transportation project costs.
- Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure safety or compliance with applicable standards or regulations.
- Investigate or test specific construction project materials to determine compliance to specifications or standards.
- Investigate traffic problems and recommend methods to improve traffic flow and safety.
- Model transportation scenarios to evaluate the impacts of activities such as new development or to identify possible solutions to transportation problems.
- Participate in contract bidding, negotiation, or administration.
- Plan alteration and modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function.
- Prepare final project layout drawings that include details such as stress calculations.
- Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor and materials.
- Develop, or assist in the development of, transportation-related computer software or computer processes.
- Evaluate traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
- Evaluate transportation systems or traffic control devices and lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
- Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, and pedestrian volume and practices.
- Prepare data, maps, or other information at construction-related public hearings and meetings.
- Review development plans to determine potential traffic impact.
Interests Save Table (XLS/CSV)
 Occupational Interest |
Interest |
|
|---|---|---|
95   |
Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. | |
| 83 |
Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally. | |
| 45 |
Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow. | |
| 39 |
Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business. | |
| 17 |
Artistic — Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules. | |
| 6 |
Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others. | |
Work Values Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Extent |
Work Value |
|
|---|---|---|
| 72 |
Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. | |
| 72 |
Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. | |
| 72 |
Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. | |
| 67 |
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. | |
| 67 |
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. | |
| 50 |
Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. | |
Education
Education data collected from Civil Engineers.
Percentage of Respondents |
Education Level Attained |
|---|---|
| 87 |
Bachelor's degree or higher |
| 10 |
Some college |
| 3 |
High school or less |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
survey of employees aged 25-44.
This occupation may require a background in the following science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational disciplines:
Engineering — Transportation and Highway Engineering
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Civil Engineers.
Employment data collected from Civil Engineers.
| Category | Occupation Information |
|---|---|
| Median wages (2008) | $35.87 hourly, $74,600 annual |
| Employment (2006) | 256,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) | 
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) | 114,000 additional employees |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008 wage data
and 2006-2016 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2006-2016). "Projected need" represents job openings due to growth and net replacement.