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Civil engineering worker

Also called site worker, groundworker, civils worker

Civil engineering workers perform tasks concerning the cleaning and preparation of construction sites for civil engineering projects. This includes the work on building and maintenance of roads, railways and dams.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 9 countries now. 28 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transportWhat does it pay?Below averageFrom about €800 (Bulgaria) to €4,300 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transportWhat do I need to study?Basic schooling4 in 10 have basic schooling only. 5 in 10 train through vocational routes.Labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transportWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Civil engineering labourers · ILO

What you'd do

Civil engineering labourers · ILO
  • Digging and filling holes and trenches using hand held tools
  • Shovelling and spreading gravel and related materials
  • Trimming and cutting rocks and concrete and bitumen surfaces using jack-hammers
  • Loading and unloading construction materials, excavated material and equipment and transporting them around construction sites using wheelbarrows and hand trucks
  • Cleaning worksites and removing obstructions
Inspect drainage channelsPerform drainage workDig soil mechanicallyPave asphalt layersRemove road surface+ 16 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Mostly outdoors
  • On your feet most of the day
  • Constant contact with people
  • Some freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Construction Laborers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

9 EU countries are short of civil engineering labourers now, and a typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport in the EU
4.98m5.67m5.76m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
88,000 new jobs 1,502,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport28
All jobs29
Right now
9 of 27 countries report a shortage of civil engineering labourers, 8 a surplus.
Civil engineering labourers · EURES

What does it pay?

Below average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €800 a month (Bulgaria) to €4,300 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among elementary occupations in the EU, women earn 9% less per hour than men. Elementary occupations · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Basic schooling

Most people start with basic schooling and learn on the job.

Highest qualification of labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport (EU, 2025)
Degree 8%Vocational 36%General secondary 13%Basic schooling 42%
Field that teaches it
Building and civil engineering
Vocational route, EU
5 in 10 trainees in this field

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.09 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 5 tasks
Cleaning worksites and removing obstructions0.13
Loading and unloading construction materials, excavated material and equipment and transporting them around construction sites using wheelbarrows and hand trucks0.10
Shovelling and spreading gravel and related materials0.08
Trimming and cutting rocks and concrete and bitumen surfaces using jack-hammers0.08
Digging and filling holes and trenches using hand held tools0.07

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for civil engineering labourers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).