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The differences between bridge design engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a bridge design engineer and an engineer. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $70,594 average annual salary of a bridge design engineer.
The top three skills for a bridge design engineer include civil engineering, CAD and structural design. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Bridge Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $70,594 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $33.94 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 47,376 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A bridge design engineer plans and oversees bridge development projects. Through their expertise, a bridge design engineer creates structural designs for building or restoring bridges, developing guidelines for structural repairs, preparing drafts according to project requirements, and providing technical support to different teams. They meet with clients or representatives to discuss requirements, specifications, and cost estimates. They may also answer inquiries and recommend other options, revising drafts when necessary. Moreover, as a bridge design engineer, they are responsible for managing and overseeing staff while implementing project standards and regulations.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Bridge design engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bridge Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $70,594 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $89,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | CnS | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a bridge design engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Bridge Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between bridge design engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Bridge Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.3% Female, 16.7% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 17.8% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |