O*NET-SOC 17-2051.01

Transportation Engineers

Develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare designs, specifications, or estimates for transportation facilities. Plan modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 4 – Considerable preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresConsiderable skill, knowledge, or experience is needed
Broad occupation in O*NETFalse (No)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a4.008/2023
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a4.008/2023
Speaking2.A.1.d4.008/2023
Writing2.A.1.c4.008/2023
Complex Problem Solving2.B.2.i3.8808/2023
Judgment and Decision Making2.B.4.e3.8808/2023

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Category Flexibility1.A.1.b.74.008/2023
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.44.008/2023
Inductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.54.008/2023
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.14.008/2023
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.008/2023
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.34.008/2023

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Design or prepare plans for new transportation systems or parts of systems, such as airports, commuter trains, highways, streets, bridges, drainage structures, or roadway lighting.Core2208/2023
Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices.Core2208/2023
Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices.Core2208/2023
Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function.Core2208/2023
Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules.Core2208/2023

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Realistic5.5711/2023
Investigative4.8211/2023
Conventional4.7111/2023
Enterprising3.0411/2023
Artistic2.0711/2023
Social1.9611/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 4

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.