Transportation Engineers
SOC code 17-2051 · O*NET-SOC 17-2051.01 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Transportation Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$100,840
a year
Hourly
$48.48
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$108,670
$52.24 per hour
Middle 50%
$79,930 – $129,680
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$68,240 – $163,220
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
367,840
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Civil Engineers”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $68,240
- $32.81/hr
- 25th percentile
- $79,930
- $38.43/hr
- Median percentile
- $100,840
- $48.48/hr
- 75th percentile
- $129,680
- $62.34/hr
- 90th percentile
- $163,220
- $78.47/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+5%
Growing faster than average
368,900
jobs in 2024
387,500
projected for 2034
About 18,600 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a transportation engineer do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to 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.
- Present data, maps, or other information at construction-related public hearings or meetings.
- Prepare final project layout drawings that include details such as stress calculations.
- Investigate traffic problems and recommend methods to improve traffic flow or safety.
How to become a transportation engineer
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 77% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree77%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree9%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate9%
- Master's Degree5%
Common questions
How much does a transportation engineer earn?
The national median is $100,840 a year. The full range runs from $68,240 at the 10th percentile to $163,220 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a transportation engineer without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is transportation engineer in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 5% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Active Listening3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.9/5
- Design4.8/5
- Transportation4.5/5
- Building and Construction4.2/5
- Mathematics4.2/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Physics3.7/5
- Administration and Management3.5/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Systems Analysis.