Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians score 59 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #100 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 15 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 2 on its own and 13 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 4 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

59/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #100of 923 jobs
US workers: 68,520BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $64,950a year
In real AI use: 4 of 15tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 2 (13%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 13 (87%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 0 (0%)

Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities, using calculator or computer.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Prepare reports and document project activities and data.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Read and review project blueprints and structural specifications to determine dimensions of structure or system and material requirements.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects to ensure conformance to specifications.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Confer with supervisor to determine project details such as plan preparation, acceptance testing, and evaluation of field conditions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Analyze proposed site factors and design maps, graphs, tracings, and diagrams to illustrate findings.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Report maintenance problems occurring at project site to supervisor and negotiate changes to resolve system conflicts.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Inspect project site and evaluate contractor work to detect design malfunctions and ensure conformance to design specifications and applicable codes.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Conduct materials test and analysis, using tools and equipment and applying engineering knowledge.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Develop plans and estimate costs for installation of systems, utilization of facilities, or construction of structures.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Develop project budgets by estimating the cost of project activities.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Evaluate facility to determine suitability for occupancy and square footage availability.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Plan and conduct field surveys to locate new sites and analyze details of project sites.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Respond to public suggestions and complaints.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Negotiate with contractors on prices for new contracts or modifications to existing contracts.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task

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Questions about civil engineering technologists and technicians and AI

Will AI replace civil engineering technologists and technicians?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians score 59 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #100 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 15 of the job's 15 tasks, 2 of them on its own. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which civil engineering technologists and technicians tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities, using calculator or computer"; "Prepare reports and document project activities and data".

Which civil engineering technologists and technicians tasks are hardest for AI?

Every task in this job has some AI exposure, though 13 of them need extra software built around the AI.

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 4 of the 15 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as civil engineering technologists and technicians, and what do they earn?

About 68,520 people in the US, with median pay of $64,950 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.