Occupation Summary

Transportation Engineers

O*NET 17-2051.01

Description:

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.

Annual Wages:
$103,011.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 15.49%.
Education Level:
Bachelor's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
STEM

  1. Present data, maps, or other information at construction-related public hearings or meetings.
  2. Review development plans to determine potential traffic impact.
  3. Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices.
  4. Evaluate transportation systems or traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
  5. Evaluate traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
  6. Develop or assist in the development of transportation-related computer software or computer processes.
  7. Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials.
  8. Prepare final project layout drawings that include details such as stress calculations.
  9. Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function.
  10. Participate in contract bidding, negotiation, or administration.
  11. Model transportation scenarios to evaluate the impacts of activities such as new development or to identify possible solutions to transportation problems.
  12. Investigate traffic problems and recommend methods to improve traffic flow or safety.
  13. Investigate or test specific construction project materials to determine compliance to specifications or standards.
  14. Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure safety or compliance with applicable standards or regulations.
  15. Direct the surveying, staking, or laying-out of construction projects.
  16. Estimate transportation project costs.
  17. Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules.
  18. Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices.
  19. Analyze environmental impact statements for transportation projects.
  20. Supervise the maintenance or repair of transportation systems or system components.
  21. 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.
  22. Design or engineer drainage, erosion, or sedimentation control systems for transportation projects.
  23. Design transportation systems or structures with sustainable materials or products, such as porous pavement or bioretention structures.
  24. Develop plans to deconstruct damaged or obsolete roadways or other transportation structures in a manner that is environmentally sound or prepares the land for sustainable development.
  25. Evaluate construction project materials for compliance with environmental standards.
  26. Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Transportation Engineers employed Annual Growth Rate
Architectural, engineering, and related services 49.8 0.50
Nonresidential building construction 6.1 0.58


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $49.52
2024 National average hourly wage $51.47
2022 National employment 326,300
2022 Texas employment 28,320
Texas projected employment by 2032 32,708
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 2,223




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
98.00%
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
95.40%
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
91.00%
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
84.60%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
83.60%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
74.60%
Physics
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
73.60%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
70.00%
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
70.00%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
69.00%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
80.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
80.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
80.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
80.00%
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
77.60%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
77.60%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
77.60%
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
77.60%
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
75.00%
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
75.00%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
80.00%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
80.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
80.00%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
80.00%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
80.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
80.00%
Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
80.00%
Mathematical Reasoning
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
77.60%
Number Facility
The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
77.60%


  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Working with Computers
    -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    -- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Other Activities


  • 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.
  • 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.



Tools

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Digital cameras: Digital cameras;

Laser fax machine: Laser facsimile machines;

Laser printers: Computer laser printers;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Photocopiers: Photocopying equipment;

Special purpose telephones: Multi-line telephone systems;

Two way radios: Mobile radios;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: Citilabs Cube; Cubic Synchro Studio; McTrans Center TSIS-CORSIM; McTrans HCS+; McTrans TRANSYT-7F; SIDRA INTERSECTION; Trafficware SynchroGreen; Visual Solutions VisSIM;

Computer aided design CAD software: Trafficware SimTraffic; Transoft Solutions AutoTURN; OpenRoads Designer; Computer aided design and drafting software CADD; Autodesk AutoCAD; Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D; Autodesk Land Desktop; Bentley GEOPAK Civil Engineering Suite; Bentley InRoads Suite; Bentley MicroStation;

Data base user interface and query software: Structured query language SQL;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Geographic information system: ESRI ArcGIS software;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software: Warehouse management system WMS;

Object or component oriented development software: Python;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Project management software: Microsoft Project; Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word; Word processing software;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Transportation Engineers include:
  • 17-3022.00 Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
  • 17-2051.00 Civil Engineers
  • 47-4011.00 Construction and Building Inspectors
  • 11-9021.00 Construction Managers
  • 17-2081.00 Environmental Engineers
  • 47-4051.00 Highway Maintenance Workers
  • 17-2112.00 Industrial Engineers
  • 53-6041.00 Traffic Technicians
  • 19-3099.01 Transportation Planners
  • 17-2051.02 Water/Wastewater Engineers


Sources of Additional Information
  • For information about general engineering education and career resources, visit: American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
  • Technology Student Association (TSA)
  • For more information about licensure, visit: National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
  • National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
  • For information about accredited programs in civil engineering and civil engineering technology, visit: ABET
  • For more information about civil engineers, visit: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
  • Occupational Requirements Survey

  • For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
  • Civil engineers (PDF)
  • CareerOneStop

  • For a career video on civil engineers, visit: Civil Engineers
  • Civil Engineers
  • Transportation Engineers
  • Water/Wastewater Engineers

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.