Careers in Transportation: A Glimpse
Below is a list of sample careers in transportation that Iowa colleges and universities can prepare students for and links to those programs.
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineer
Civil engineers make a region habitable. They plan, design and supervise the construction of public facilities such as bridges, airports, highways, power lines, dams, sewage and water purification plants. They solve problems like pollution, traffic congestion, energy needs, water supplies and provision of infrastructure for community settlements.
Salary Range: $35,000–$86,000
Four-year Bachelor of Science degree offered in Iowa
- Iowa State University, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
- University of Iowa, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department
Civil Engineering Technician
Civil engineering technicians survey roadways, help design roads and bridges, and inspect roads and bridges. They also test soils and structural materials for specification compliance.
Salary Range: $25,000–$35,000
Two-year Associate degree offered at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Boone, Iowa
Construction Engineering
Construction engineers plan and manage the construction of highways, bridges, airports, railroads, airports, dams, reservoirs, building systems, etc. They also design temporary structures, estimate and control costs, plan and schedule work, procure materials, and select equipment.
Salary Range: $33,000–$70,000
Four-year Bachelor of Science degree offered at Iowa State University, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Land Surveying
Land surveyors perform topographic surveys, surveys of bodies of water (hydrographic surveys), and construction layout surveys for buildings and roads. They use state-of-the-art GPS equipment to achieve highly accurate results when performing critical construction surveys or boundary surveys.
Salary Range: $28,000–$34,000
Two-year Associate degree offered at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Boone, Iowa
Transportation and Logistics
In this field, workers are concerned with the efficient flow of materials through our industrial and economic system. Workers’ activities may include inventory control, warehousing, traffic management, local analysis, packaging, materials handling, and consumer service.
Salary Range: $40,000–$60,000
Four-year Bachelor of Science degree offered at Iowa State University, Department of Logistics, Operations, and Management Information Systems, Transportation and Logistics Program
Transportation Planning
Transportation planners examine travel and transportation issues and needs in rural areas, small cities and towns, and large urban areas. They analyze a community’s demographics and its travel patterns and trends to plan alternatives for the future so residents have a safe, efficient transportation system.
Salary Range: $34,000–$87,000
Four-year Bachelor of Science degree offered at Iowa State
University, Department
of Community and Regional Planning
