Concrete engineers perform many duties in the concrete industry, working on everything from creating the concrete mix itself through designing and building infrastructure projects to industry management positions. These duties vary with an engineer's background. Read this article to learn more about what a concrete engineer does.
Duties and Responsibilities
Concrete engineers may work with concrete manufacturers, engineering or architectural design firms, consulting agencies, construction companies, and governments. The duties of concrete engineers depend on whether they have a civil engineering, structural engineering, or concrete industry management program background.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Licensure </td><td> Required in all states, must pass several exams and minimum amount of experience (<i>for Civil Engineers</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Math, leadership, organizational</td></tr>
<tr><td> Work Environment </td><td> Office setting, sometimes outside to monitor construction sites</td></tr>
<tr><td>Similar Occupations </td><td> Construction Manager, Architect, Mechanical Engineer</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---CivilEngineeringBackground">Civil Engineering Background</h3><p>Concrete engineers with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering perform duties in all areas of the industry. Roadways, sewer, water, energy, and transportation networks all rely on the talents and skills of these engineers. Concrete engineers can work from the primary level design all the way through development, construction, trouble shooting, and repair.
</p><h3 id="section---StructuralEngineeringBackground">Structural Engineering Background</h3><p>Structural engineers who specialize in concrete engineering work in many roles. Their duties may include supervising projects from blueprint to final construction. They may also repair or reconstruct bridges and dams to protect them from natural and man-made disasters. Some concrete engineers with this kind of background focus on residential and community projects.
</p><h3 id="section---ConcreteIndustryManagementProgramBackground">Concrete Industry Management Program Background</h3><p>Those with a concrete industry management (CIM) program background are trained in all technical aspects of how concrete is manufactured, tested, and utilized. They work in the business or management side of industry. Concrete engineers with this type of background would find employment as technical or production managers. They might also work in marketing, sales, or product distribution.
</p><h3 id="section---SalaryInfoAndJobOutlook">Salary Info and Job Outlook</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary among all types of engineers was $99,040 as of May 2021. The number of job openings for engineers in all disciplines was expected to increase 5% from 2021-2031.</p>
