Engineering
Civil Engineer
You design roads, bridges, dams and water systems that communities depend on.
- Starting salary
- R25 000 – R40 000
- Job demand
- Steady demand
- Key subjects
- Mathematics, Physical Sciences
What do they do?
You design roads, bridges, dams and water systems that communities depend on.
A day in the life
You do calculations, draw designs, visit construction sites and check that work is safe and on budget.
Skills you need
- Mathematics
- Design thinking
- Safety focus
- Project management
School subjects that help
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Engineering Graphics & Design
How long does it take?
3 main steps after school, usually 1–3 years of study, or longer at university.
Study path
- 1High school
- 2BEng / BTech / N-Diploma
- 3Candidate engineer
- 4Professional registration (ECSA)
Ways in: University degree · University of Technology · TVET College · Learnership. University is not the only route.
Where can I study?
- University of Cape Town
- University of the Witwatersrand
- Stellenbosch University
- University of Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Nelson Mandela University
- Tshwane University of Technology
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- TVET Colleges nationwide
Admission requirements differ by institution, always check the official website.
What can I earn?
Entry level
R25 000 – R40 000
per month (estimate)
Mid career
R45 000 – R75 000
per month (estimate)
Experienced / senior
R80 000 – R150 000+
per month (estimate)
Estimated salary ranges only. Salaries vary based on experience, qualification, industry, location and employer.
How to start preparing now
- • Build model bridges from spaghetti
- • Look at how roads and drains work near you
- • Master maths and physics
Try this career
Think of a problem in your community and sketch an engineering solution.
Related careers
Like this field but not sure about this exact job? Try these.
This tool is designed to help you explore career possibilities. It does not replace professional career counselling, school guidance or official university admission requirements.