Geotechnical Engineering
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Geotechnical engineers evaluate and stabilize foundations for buildings, roads, and other structures. Earthquakes and geothermal activity are of special interest to geotechnical engineers.

Meet a geotechnical engineer: Tom O'Rourke

Education
Most geotechnical engineers have advanced degrees in civil engineering. In college, students are required to take courses in calculus, statistics, physics, geology, and chemistry. By their junior year, students must take advanced courses, including soil mechanics and plate tectonics.

Fast Facts
Number of people in profession: 23,310*
Percentage male: 92
Percentage female: 8
Average salary: $59,000

People You Will Work With
Civil engineers, structural engineers

* Based on a 1999 National Science Foundation survey