Skip to content

Prototype—not an official NYS Department of Labor service

Start over

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

The short answer

This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 120 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.

How much AI could touch this job

Most exposedband 5 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about half of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate nearly every task in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities, using calculator or computer.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  2. Inspect project site and evaluate contractor work to detect design malfunctions and ensure conformance to design specifications and applicable codes.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Read and review project blueprints and structural specifications to determine dimensions of structure or system and material requirements.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects to ensure conformance to specifications.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  5. Conduct materials test and analysis, using tools and equipment and applying engineering knowledge.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Civil Engineers

    Very similar work
    +41% pay1,146 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 41% more—$106,668 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Mathematics
    • Design
    • Building and Construction
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Sales and Marketing
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Systems Evaluation
    • Time Management
    • Management of Personnel Resources
  • Architectural and Civil Drafters

    Very similar work
    +3% pay689 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 3% more—$78,396 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Design
    • Building and Construction
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Mathematics

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Industrial Engineers

    Very similar work
    +39% pay837 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 39% more—$105,509 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Design
    • Mathematics
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Written Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
    • Technology Design
    • Education and Training
    • Systems Evaluation
    • Complex Problem Solving
  • Electrical and Electronics Drafters

    Very similar work
    +5% pay1,388 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 5% more—$80,006 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Design
    • Mathematics
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Computers and Electronics

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians

    Very similar work
    +4% pay1,881 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 4% more—$79,198 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Design
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Written Comprehension
    • Mathematics

    New skills to build

    • Repairing
    • Troubleshooting
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Equipment Selection
    • Extent Flexibility
  • Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

    Very similar work
    +6% pay96 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 6% more—$80,402 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Mathematics
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Written Comprehension
    • Design

    New skills to build

    • Repairing
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Troubleshooting
    • Equipment Selection
    • Mechanical
  • Mechanical Engineers

    Similar work
    +39% pay666 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 39% more—$105,303 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Mathematics
    • Design
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Computers and Electronics

    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
    • Technology Design
    • Physics
    • Science
    • Systems Evaluation
  • Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

    Similar work
    +35% pay699 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 35% more—$102,063 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, plus internship/residency.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Design
    • Building and Construction
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Computers and Electronics

    New skills to build

    • Sales and Marketing
    • Fine Arts
    • Operations Analysis
    • Originality
    • Fluency of Ideas
  • Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

    Similar work
    slightly less pay264 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays slightly less—$72,261 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Mathematics
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Deductive Reasoning

    New skills to build

    • Repairing
    • Production and Processing
    • Chemistry
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Quality Control Analysis
  • Mechanical Drafters

    Similar work
    +4% pay197 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 4% more—$78,636 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Mathematics
    • Design
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Mechanical
    • Physics
    • Production and Processing
    • Technology Design
  • Construction Managers

    Somewhat similar work
    +108% pay2,170 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 108% more—$157,969 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Mathematics
    • Design
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
    • Management of Personnel Resources
    • Economics and Accounting
    • Management of Financial Resources
    • Sales and Marketing
  • Construction and Building Inspectors

    Somewhat similar work
    +8% pay5,482 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 8% more—$81,618 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with 5 years or more of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Written Comprehension
    • Mathematics
    • Reading Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Sales and Marketing
    • Extent Flexibility
  • Architectural and Engineering Managers

    Somewhat similar work
    +136% pay1,869 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 136% more—$178,657 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Mathematics
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Written Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
    • Management of Personnel Resources
    • Originality
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Chemistry
  • First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

    Somewhat similar work
    +30% pay3,228 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 30% more—$98,294 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with 5 years or more of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Expression
    • Mechanical

    New skills to build

    • Management of Personnel Resources
    • Sales and Marketing
    • Equipment Selection
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Coordination
  • Cost Estimators

    Somewhat similar work
    +8% pay860 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 8% more—$81,776 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mathematics
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Written Comprehension
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Deductive Reasoning

    New skills to build

    • Economics and Accounting
    • Management of Financial Resources
    • Sales and Marketing
  • Logisticians

    Somewhat similar work
    +18% pay967 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 18% more—$89,717 vs your $75,855 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mathematics
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Written Comprehension
    • Deductive Reasoning

    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
    • Systems Analysis
    • Systems Evaluation
    • Transportation
    • Economics and Accounting