Civil engineering technician: tasks, requirements and salary

‍Withoutcivil engineering, everything would be different - there would be no roads, no sewage systems and no fast internet connection. Cellars, basements and subway railroads would also be impossible without civil engineering... Doesn't sound nice, does it? 

As a civil engineering specialist, you are the central person at work on such projects. You are the doer! The profession not only offers good salary opportunities, but also secure future prospects in a growing market. But what exactly does a civil engineering technician do, what does everyday life look like and what do you need to know to be successful in this profession?

Civil engineering worker - a profession with a future

As a civil engineering worker, you are in high demand! And it will stay that way, because the profession of civil engineering technician is future-proof and versatile. Why? The demand for skilled workers in the construction industry is constantly high - and continues to grow.

The opportunity to drive an excavator every day is actually the best argument for a job in civil engineering. But there are also dry reasons:

You've probably heard of fiber optic expansion or major railroad projects. Perhaps you've even heard of sustainable hydraulic engineering or the modernization of cities in general? Such projects cannot be completed without civil engineering specialists! People who get stuck in and "get their hands dirty" are indispensable! And that's why large companies such as Deutsche Telekom and Züblin also offer such qualified specialists attractive conditions and offers to successfully implement such challenging projects (and we have vacancies for both Telekom and Züblin in various cities !)

The extremely interesting and varied tasks involved in this skilled trade make a civil engineering technician a really safe choice with excellent prospects.

Tasks and everyday work as a civil engineering technician

As a civil engineering worker, you can expect a varied and exciting daily routine. Your most important tasks include

• Construction site and planning:
  You are not only involved in civil engineering itself, but also set up and secure construction sites and work with plans to ensure that construction work runs smoothly.
• Earthworks:
  You will carry out excavation work, compact the soil and prepare construction sites. You will often have to dig with precision and put your skills to the test.
• Laying cables and pipes:
  Of course, the reliable laying of infrastructure can also involve road construction projects or special tasks in hydraulic engineering.
• Machine operation:
  Do you feel like the little boy in the internet video and just want to drive an excavator? Then maybe a job in civil engineering is perfect for you. Every day you will use equipment such as excavators, rollers or other special machines. However, you are not only responsible for their operation, but also for their maintenance.

Your specialization - whether it is fiber optic expansion, hydraulic engineering or something else - contributes to a modern and better infrastructure.

Requirements for the civil engineering examination and training

To become a civil engineering technician, you will complete a two-year dual training course in which you will learn both theory and practical skills. Afterwards, you can specialize in areas such as road construction, pipeline construction or hydraulic engineering. You can pursue your personal interests and do what you enjoy!

As a rule, a school-leaving certificate, usually a secondary general school certificate, is required. In some cases, however, you can also enter this profession without a qualification.

Other important skills are:

• A keen interest in technology: As you work a lot with technical equipment in this job, you should naturally be interested in how it works.
• Manual dexterity: As with all technical and manual professions, manual dexterity is an advantage. You will of course learn and deepen this during an apprenticeship.
• Physical resilience: Jobs in the industrial sector always require physical resilience, and this is of course also the case for civil engineering workers.
• Ability to work in a team: Many tasks can only be successfully mastered with colleagues. You should therefore also be able to work in a team.

The training ends with an examination that includes both theoretical and practical elements. If you're not sure whether lateral entry is an option for you, please read our article "Lateral entry: what is it?".

If that sounds right for you, we have more interesting information for you here:

Salary and career opportunities

The salary of a civil engineering worker is attractive and naturally increases with your experience and specialization (source: Stepstone, 2024):

• Starting salary: 2,200 - 2,500 € gross/month
• With experience: 3,000 - 3,500 € gross/month
• With specialization or master craftsman title: 3,800 - 4,500 € gross/month

The career opportunities are excellent. You can continue your education and train in almost all areas. As a foreman or foreman, for example, you will guide your colleagues, while as a specialist you can use your expert knowledge to reach higher, managerial positions. You will also play an active role in increasingly challenging projects, constantly improving your professional experience and career opportunities. Do you want to become a master craftsman and then even start your own business? No problem, once you have completed your training and have a master craftsman's certificate in your pocket, you can get started with your own civil engineering company! If you need help with your application, take a look at our tips for the perfect CV for tradespeople.

Start your career with WorkerHero

Whether as a civil engineering worker or in other exciting professions in the construction industry - WorkerHero is your partner when it comes to finding the right job in Germany. We specialize in blue- and grey-collar professions and will help you get off to a successful start - even if your German language skills are not yet perfect.

Whether you are just starting out in the professional world or already have experience, you will find numerous job opportunities with us that suit you. We offer a wide range of options for international professionals in particular to gain a foothold in Germany. Find out more in our article on jobs in Germany for foreigners. Start your career with us now! WorkerHero is at your side and will support you in all relevant matters!