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Civil engineer vs construction engineer

The differences between civil engineers and construction 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 civil engineer and a construction engineer. Additionally, a construction engineer has an average salary of $74,680, which is higher than the $70,950 average annual salary of a civil engineer.

The top three skills for a civil engineer include civil 3d, engineering design and cost estimates. The most important skills for a construction engineer are tractor trailer, construction sites, and cranes.

Civil engineer vs construction engineer overview

Civil EngineerConstruction Engineer
Yearly salary$70,950$74,680
Hourly rate$34.11$35.90
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs26,80351,380
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does a civil engineer do?

A civil engineer designs and supervises the construction of large-scale public works projects such as buildings, roads, tunnels, highways, airports, bridges, dams, and other substantial infrastructure. Most civil engineers work in the private industry, but some work for a government organization. Their output is almost everywhere. Many of them specialize in a specific project or practice a target profession such as in transportation, structural engineering, or geotechnical engineering. They oftentimes work at project sites, as they monitor the ongoing construction.

What does a construction engineer do?

A Construction Engineer designs, coordinates, and supervises projects within the construction industry. They conduct surveys, analyze results, and supervise projects from the cradle to the grave.

Civil engineer vs construction engineer salary

Civil engineers and construction engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Civil EngineerConstruction Engineer
Average salary$70,950$74,680
Salary rangeBetween $51,000 And $97,000Between $55,000 And $101,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyThe CitadelMeta
Best paying industryConstructionEnergy

Differences between civil engineer and construction engineer education

There are a few differences between a civil engineer and a construction engineer in terms of educational background:

Civil EngineerConstruction Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringCivil Engineering
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborNew York University

Civil engineer vs construction engineer demographics

Here are the differences between civil engineers' and construction engineers' demographics:

Civil EngineerConstruction Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 83.6% Female, 16.4%Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 15.6% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 11.2% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between civil engineer and construction engineer duties and responsibilities

Civil engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage production of full sets of contract documents (grading, drainage, water, sewer, paving and SWPPP).
  • Manage project programming requirements and manage HVAC design activities.
  • Project manage the overall reorganizing and restructuring of the telecommunication department.
  • Design engineer and project manager for HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems.
  • Support and troubleshoot Hewlett Packard printers, servers, switches, thin clients, and Cisco phone systems.
  • Handle and continuously update project documentation as as-built records and construction record reports.
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Construction engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage 3D BIM coordination, improving field production and reducing rework.
  • Manage all aspects of work packages which include subsea EPC's contractors (i.e.
  • Manage all trades installing formwork, concrete, interior finishes, built-up and rubber roofs, and EIFS.
  • Calculate sub-contractors weekly accomplish work for payroll.
  • Manage Geotechnical subcontractor daily testing logs and sampling activities.
  • Manage and/or participate in a variety of water and wastewater assist company principles as engineering consultants for numerous municipal clients.
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Civil engineer vs construction engineer skills

Common civil engineer skills
  • Civil 3D, 11%
  • Engineering Design, 7%
  • Cost Estimates, 7%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Construction Projects, 4%
  • Engineering Projects, 4%
Common construction engineer skills
  • Tractor Trailer, 18%
  • Construction Sites, 16%
  • Cranes, 15%
  • Bulldozers, 11%
  • Grade Stakes, 8%
  • Combat, 8%

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