Civil engineers plan, construct, and maintain physical structures and systems essential to society, such as highways, bridges, buildings, and water systems. Throughout the world, civil engineers are relied on to improve the community by finding innovative solutions to pressing problems and applying their knowledge of mathematics, physics, and engineering.

Civil engineering offers exciting opportunities but can only sometimes provide a secure or sufficient income. This is why many civil engineers opt to work extra jobs on the side.

For those with a degree in civil engineering, various extracurricular activities can be pursued to supplement their income. These positions may or may not use their engineering background and skills.
Some civil engineers work as consultants or project managers in their spare time, while others choose more traditional professions like teaching or writing.

Civil engineers must find a side gig that doesn’t just pay the bills but also gives them something to put on their resume.

Here we’ll go through a few of the most lucrative extra gigs that civil engineers can take on in their spare time. Positions were chosen for their financial potential, degree of autonomy, and compatibility with civil engineers’ existing knowledge and abilities.

1. Consulting

Consulting is advising and assisting customers in various fields, such as business, finance, technology, and others, based on one’s knowledge and experience. Consultants can take on diverse customers, from corporations to nonprofits to individuals.

services in infrastructure design, construction project management, and other related topics are under the purview of civil engineers. As a side gig, consulting can be quite rewarding for civil engineers since it puts their knowledge and expertise to use in assisting others in meeting their objectives.

Civil engineers can take on as much or as little work as they choose when consulting. Civil engineers can easily fit consulting sessions into their busy schedules, making this a great method to make extra money on their own time.

2. Project Management

The term “project management” describes the process of planning and supervising the completion of a particular endeavor, such as a building project or a scientific investigation. To guarantee projects are finished on schedule and under budget, project managers must create detailed plans, establish realistic budgets, and coordinate the work of their teams.

Construction project management and infrastructure design are two areas where civil engineers may provide project management services. The ability to put one’s organizational and problem-solving skills to use in service of others makes project management a wonderful side gig for civil engineers.

Civil engineers may take on as much or as little work as they like through the project management route, making it a practical and versatile choice. Civil engineers can fit project management work into their busy schedules, making it a great opportunity to make additional cash.

3. Teaching

Teaching is the process of imparting knowledge and skills to learners of any age. Teachers can find employment in many institutions, including traditional K-12 classrooms and colleges.

It is common practice for civil engineers to provide instruction in their respective fields, such as civil engineering, construction management, and infrastructure design. An excellent second career for civil engineers is teaching, allowing them to use their expertise in a high-demand field.

Civil engineers can take on as much or as little work as they’re comfortable with by working as teachers.

Civil engineers can easily fit their tutoring sessions into their busy schedules, making this a great option for them to make some additional cash.

4. Writing

Articles, blogs, websites, promotional materials, and other written content are all examples of writing. Businesses, periodicals, and private customers are potential patrons of freelance writers.

Articles on civil engineering themes and technical reports on building projects are only two examples of the types of writing services that civil engineers might provide. Civil engineers may succeed in freelancing as writers by using their expertise and experience to assist customers with their written communication needs.

Civil engineers may take on as much or as little work as they’re comfortable with, thanks to the writing option. Because of the adaptability of the field, freelance writing is a great method for civil engineers to make additional money on the side.

5. Freelance Designing

When a designer works on a contract basis rather than being employed full time, they are said to be “freelancing.” Freelance designers have several options for employment, including graphic design, web design, and more. They can serve a diverse clientele, including corporations, nonprofits, and private citizens.

Freelance civil engineers can provide design services, such as drawing blueprints for buildings and planning transportation networks. Civil engineers may succeed in the freelance design industry by using their communication and design abilities in the service of others.

Freelance design work allows civil engineers to accept as much or as little work as they like. Since civil engineers can fit freelance design work into their busy schedules, it’s a great method for them to make some additional cash.

6. Data Analysis

The term “data analysis” describes the steps used to compile and examine data to draw conclusions and guide actions. Many tools and techniques are available to data analysts, who may work with both organized and unstructured data.

Data analysis is a service that civil engineers may provide, particularly when it pertains to the fields of building and infrastructure. Data analysis is an excellent side gig for civil engineers since it allows them to use their analytical abilities and expertise while assisting customers in making well-informed decisions.

Because of the adaptability and portability of data analysis, civil engineers may take on as much or as little work as they’re comfortable with. Since civil engineers can fit data analysis work into their busy schedules, it’s a great opportunity to make additional money.

7. Technical Support

Helping people who are making use of technological items or infrastructure is what is meant by “technical support.” Professionals in technical assistance may have experience with many different kinds of hardware and software. In addition to in-person and telephone assistance, they also provide online resources.

In addition to designing and building infrastructure, civil engineers can also provide technical assistance for the software and hardware utilized in the construction industry. Civil engineers may find that giving technical service is a rewarding side gig since it allows them to use their expertise to solve clients’ difficulties and advance their projects.

Because of the adaptability of technical assistance, civil engineers may take on as much or as little work as they’re comfortable with. Technical assistance work is a great opportunity for civil engineers to make extra money on their own time.

8. Construction Management

The term “construction management” describes the process of planning, designing, constructing, and finally commissioning a building. A construction manager’s job is to guarantee that a construction project is finished on time and within budget by creating a strategy, establishing a budget, and coordinating the activities of the team members working on the project.

In their specialized field, civil engineers can provide construction management services, such as the supervision of building and infrastructure construction. Civil engineers may find that construction management is a satisfying side gig since it allows them to use their organizational and problem-solving talents in service of others.

Civil engineers may take on as much or as little work as they’re comfortable with in construction management, making it a handy and versatile career choice. Since civil engineers can typically fit construction management work around their other obligations, it’s a great opportunity to make some additional money.

9. Surveying and Mapping

The terms “surveying” and “mapping” relate to the same activity: the systematic gathering, examination, and recording of information on the topography and topological characteristics of a given area. Surveyors and mappers rely on GPS units, aerial photographs, and other geospatial technology for their work.

Experts in civil engineering can provide surveying and mapping services, among other data collection tasks related to building and maintaining infrastructure. A civil engineer’s analytical abilities and experience may be used in the surveying and mapping industry, making it a good side gig.

Because of the adaptability of surveying and mapping, civil engineers may take on as much or as little work as they like. Because of the adaptability of the field of surveying and mapping, it is a great opportunity for civil engineers to make additional money on the side.

10. Real Estate Investing

Buying, maintaining, and eventually selling real estate for a profit is known as “real estate investment.” Residential, commercial, and industrial properties are all viable options for real estate investors.

Civil engineers can provide services such as spotting and evaluating promising prospects in the building and infrastructure industries in real estate investments. Because of their unique skills and experience, civil engineers may make good use of their spare time by investing in real estate as a side business.

Because of the adaptability of the real estate industry, civil engineers may take on as much or as little work as they like. Civil engineers may invest in real estate at their speed and on their own time, making it an excellent method to make additional money.

11. Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineering is known as engineering that focuses on improving environmental conditions, such as reducing pollution levels in the air and water or improving waste management. Engineers in the field of environmental protection seek to ensure the long-term health of ecosystems by analyzing environmental problems and developing solutions that lessen their harmful effects.

Environmental engineering services are something that civil engineers can do, and they can do things like create waste management strategies and infrastructure systems that have minimal ecological implications. Environmental engineering may be a terrific side gig for civil engineers when it comes to protecting the environment and promoting sustainability.

Since civil engineers may take on as much or as little environmental engineering work as they like, it’s a practical and versatile career path. Because environmental engineering work can be scheduled around a civil engineer’s other obligations, it’s a great method for civil engineers to make extra money flexibly.

Final Thoughts

Civil engineers can put their abilities to use in a variety of ways outside of their main professions.

Consulting, teaching, writing, freelancing in design, doing data analysis or technical assistance, managing a building project, surveying, mapping, real estate investment, and environmental engineering are all viable second careers.

Civil engineers may supplement their income and broaden their skill sets by taking on these types of projects on the side.

When looking for further work, a civil engineer’s resume is a crucial marketing tool that presents the candidate’s qualifications to prospective clients and companies.

Civil engineer who wants to stand out in a competitive employment market and boost their chances of getting profitable side gigs should have a résumé that does both.

Using their extensive experience and knowledge, our expert resume writers can assist civil engineers in developing a resume that is both compelling and successful.

Our authors have extensive experience in the engineering field and are familiar with the skills and knowledge that are most valued by hiring managers. Civil engineers who take advantage of our resume writing services may be certain that they will be presented to prospective clients and employers in the most favorable light.