Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Machines can already do 35% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 63%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 35% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 8% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2031, and 63% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 68,520 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $64,950 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 80% for contact with people.
- Also called: Civil Designer, Civil Engineering Assistant, Civil Engineering Technician, Design Technician.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects to ensure conformance to specifications | 14% | 35% to 65% | |
| Inspect project site and evaluate contractor work to detect design malfunctions and ensure conformance to design specifications and applicable codes | 12% | 3% to 30% | |
| Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities, using calculator or computer | 11% | 25% to 50% | |
| Prepare reports and document project activities and data | 11% | 84% to 97% | |
| Read and review project blueprints and structural specifications to determine dimensions of structure or system and material requirements | 10% | 55% to 85% | |
| Confer with supervisor to determine project details such as plan preparation, acceptance testing, and evaluation of field conditions | 7% | 30% to 54% | |
| Analyze proposed site factors and design maps, graphs, tracings, and diagrams to illustrate findings | 7% | 35% to 65% | |
| Conduct materials test and analysis, using tools and equipment and applying engineering knowledge | 7% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills civil engineering technologists and technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $74,090
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $103,020
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $61,010
- Robotics Technicians47% of tasks by 2035 · US median $73,900
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2031. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of civil engineering technologists and technicians?
Machines can do 35% of the tasks of civil engineering technologists and technicians today and 63% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 17-3022.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/civil-engineering-technologists-and-technicians/