what is a civil engineer?

As a civil engineer, you use your infrastructure operations and construction expertise to supervise construction projects. The job involves designing, constructing and maintaining infrastructure projects. You oversee the process to ensure that high-quality standards are adhered to during construction. You also participate in cost estimation for the materials and quantities required on the work site. In some projects, you only provide technical advice for structural repairs, programme modifications and design changes.

As a civil engineer, you determine the strength and adequacy of the foundations by testing the materials or soils. You determine how the load requirement is affected by the materials' stress factors and the soil's water flow rates. You also use drawing tools and design software like AutoCAD to ensure the construction project meets government standards.

Working in a civil engineering role requires extensive industry knowledge since you apply engineering principles to the project's blueprints and technical drawings. Time management is vital to ensure resources are fully utilised and that the project gets completed within the projected time.

Would working as a civil engineer suit your expertise in technical drawing and interpreting blueprints? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in the role of a civil engineer.

civil engineer jobs
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average civil engineer salary

The average earnings of a civil engineer in Greece is €44,000 per year. You may also take home an average yearly bonus of approximately 2 or 3 wages. As an entry-level civil engineer with minimal experience, you are likely to handle simple projects. When you have one to three years of experience, you can start with a salary of €30,000 per year. On the higher end of the salary scale, you take home over €54,000 annually.

what factors affect the salary of a civil engineer?

Your earnings fluctuate based on personal factors like experience and qualifications. External factors, such as the location and company's size, also impact your earning potential. If you have additional qualifications or are a professionally licensed civil engineer in Greece, you can demand a higher salary. Your experience determines the complexity of the projects you handle. As a senior civil engineer, you take on complex projects with large budgets.

The size of the company you work for also determines your earning prospects. Working in a large organisation will likely increase your potential salary since you work on complex projects and have access to more resources. Large companies also handle huge projects with big budgets. Small companies may have budgetary constraints and cannot afford to pay higher salaries.

download our salary guide
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types of civil engineers

Civil engineers have various specialisation options focusing on different study areas and projects. Some types of civil engineers include:

smiling male, construction site in the background
smiling male, construction site in the background
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working as a civil engineer

Let’s dive into the daily activities of civil engineers, including the work schedule and work environments.

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civil engineer skills and education

As a civil engineer, you handle the technical aspects of a project. Hence, you require a high level of education in the industry of your choice. Some of the requirements for the role include:

  • Bachelor’s degree: to become a civil engineer, pursue a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. The degree course takes five years and equips you with knowledge of infrastructure design and the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software. For senior roles, your employer may require a master's degree.
  • Work experience and licences: you require extensive experience to work as a civil engineer. You can gain relevant skills through internships and graduate programs. To work in Greece, get a professional engineer’s licence by completing an exam with the Technical Chamber of Greece. It is also important to register with the Association of Civil Engineers of Greece.

competencies and characteristics of civil engineers

Civil engineers require the following qualities:

  • Maths skills: you rely on advanced mathematical principles to analyse designs and create structurally sound projects. Your maths skills enable you to calculate the details of every aspect of the project accurately.
  • Leadership skills: you oversee workers during construction and interact with various professionals to discuss project details. The role requires leadership skills to help you guide people and inspire them towards a common goal.
  • Decision-making skills: construction and infrastructure projects are complex and involve many steps. Your role as a civil engineer involves making complex decisions throughout the construction and design stages.
  • Problem-solving skills: as a civil engineer, you rely on engineering principles to solve structural problems and other issues that arise during construction. Your problem-solving skills also help you find cost-effective solutions.
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FAQs

Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a civil engineer.

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