Engineering

Transportation Engineers

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.

Median salary

$99,590

Typical range

$66k – $161k

Job outlook

+5% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Plan a path to Transportation Engineers

Qualification costs Stack income Best cities/states School ROI Job-posting fit Tailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

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Typical progression

Transportation Engineers Intern
Internship
$36,000
~4 mos to advance
Junior Transportation Engineers
Entry / Junior
$65,920
~2 yrs to advance
Transportation Engineers
Established
$99,590
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Transportation Engineers
Senior
$130,290

Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.

Key skills

A typical day

•Design or prepare plans for new transportation systems or parts of systems, such as airports, commuter trains, highways, streets, bridges, drainage structures, or roadway lighting.
•Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices.
•Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices.
•Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function.
•Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Engineering

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.