Geotechnical engineers specialize in the design and development of structures supported by soil and rock, such as national slopes, mines, soil deposits, dams and tunnels. Many of the geotechnical projects are implemented underground and designed to withstand manmade infrastructures and natural hazards. They perform environmental assessments of sites and collaborate with civil engineers to map out the design and development of new construction projects. The foundations of geoengineering date back to the early 1700s. This form of engineering plays an integral role on the way humans live from day to day. New innovations in geotechnical engineering continue to lay the foundations of many sites built throughout the world and shape the future for generations of people.
Specialties and Industries
Many specialties exist in the geological engineering professions, such as environmental scientists, hydrogeologists and geomechanical engineers. There are different types of employers that hire people with qualifications in geo technical engineering, including civil engineering firms, consulting firms, public agencies, utility companies, educational institutions and research and development firms. Many geological engineers involved in the building of structural foundations work at various remote locations near large cities.
Job Sources for Geological Engineering Professions
There are a wide variety of engineering job boards that list opportunities for employment in civil and geological engineering in America. If you’re looking for geotechnical engineering jobs abroad, there has been a significant increase in the international structures involving civil and geotechnical engineering in several countries, such as India, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Germany and Switzerland.
Employment Outlook and Salary
Job prospects are favorable for geological engineers, because they provide the groundwork for most construction projects. It is among the fastest growing engineering professions around. Employment for geotechnical jobs are expected to increase through the next decade due to the high demand for individuals with degrees, licenses and certifications in specialties involving civil and environmental engineering. Many companies are looking to hire more contract firms to complete projects with the effort to lower expenses.
Engineers that specialize in the application of soil and rock mechanics acquire competitive wages and job security. Here are the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook’s 2015 median salary statistics of related professions.
- Environmental Engineers – $84,560
- Mining and Geological Engineers – $94,040
- Civil Engineers – $82,220
According to CNN Money and Payscale.com, geotechnical engineering ranked number 84 of the top 100 careers with excellent pay and growth potential. According to the Payscale’s top 100 careers report, the median pay for geotechnical engineers is $74,600 with a job growth rate at 19.4 percent.