ASCE Guidelines for Engineering Grades
Created to help engineers and their employers recognize an engineer’s level of professional development and career advancement.
ASCE’s Guidelines for Engineering Grades were created to help engineers and their employers recognize an engineer’s level of professional development and career advancement. The guidelines outline the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities associated with engineers at each grade.
In using the guidelines, therefore, keep the following in mind:
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The grades are intended to be representative of engineers on various career paths, including management and technical specialist tracks, in diverse organizations.
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The descriptions characterize an engineer’s general abilities and scope of responsibility at a particular grade, rather than minimum requirements.
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Conformance with every item is not required to achieve a specific grade.
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Engineers will progress through the grades at varying rates.
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Some employers may not offer the full array of grades listed, nor is it assumed that every engineer will achieve Grade VIII.
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Compensation and benefits generally increase with higher grades; however, they are also affected by market variables that are not reflected in these guidelines.
The grade descriptions depict general requirements for a wide range of engineering positions in diverse organizations including (but not limited to) consulting/design firms, construction firms, local, state, or federal government, laboratories or research/development firms, law firms, insurance firms, and colleges/universities.
Download Engineering Grades (.PDF)
Request Engineering Grades brochures and other Professional Advancement resources.
Request Professional Advancement Resources
American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE Guidelines for Engineering Grades, 2022.
Resources
ASCE offers many resources for civil engineers seeking to advance in their careers, and for employers seeking to develop and retain civil engineering talent within their organizations:
Contact [email protected] for more information, or to request printed copies of the Guidelines for Engineering Grades brochure.