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Civil engineering internship vs senior structural engineer

The differences between civil engineering interns and senior structural 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 engineering internship and a senior structural engineer. Additionally, a senior structural engineer has an average salary of $94,406, which is higher than the $52,597 average annual salary of a civil engineering internship.

The top three skills for a civil engineering internship include civil 3d, GIS and roadway design. The most important skills for a senior structural engineer are structural analysis, rehabilitation, and RISA.

Civil engineering internship vs senior structural engineer overview

Civil Engineering InternshipSenior Structural Engineer
Yearly salary$52,597$94,406
Hourly rate$25.29$45.39
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs109,73338,584
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does a civil engineering internship do?

Civil engineer interns work to improve their knowledge about construction and its relevant works. An internship provides them insight into various aspects of construction and how things run at the site. Through an internship, they learn how to differentiate between reality and engineering. Civil engineering interns will typically perform various tasks, including preparing and monitoring documents, working closely with the civil engineer to resolve issues and review complaints, and preparing plans and maps. They are also expected to visit construction sites to do their planning, quality control, documentation, and site execution.

What does a senior structural engineer do?

A Senior Structural Engineer is responsible for investigating and analyzing different construction problems. They must determine the causes of defects of buildings' envelopes, roofs, walls, and other parts of construction.

Civil engineering internship vs senior structural engineer salary

Civil engineering interns and senior structural engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Civil Engineering InternshipSenior Structural Engineer
Average salary$52,597$94,406
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $80,000Between $70,000 And $125,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAdobeRivian
Best paying industryConstructionTransportation

Differences between civil engineering internship and senior structural engineer education

There are a few differences between a civil engineering internship and a senior structural engineer in terms of educational background:

Civil Engineering InternshipSenior Structural Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringCivil Engineering
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Civil engineering internship vs senior structural engineer demographics

Here are the differences between civil engineering interns' and senior structural engineers' demographics:

Civil Engineering InternshipSenior Structural Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 75.8% Female, 24.2%Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.7% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 17.8% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between civil engineering internship and senior structural engineer duties and responsibilities

Civil engineering internship example responsibilities.

  • Assist and manage in the design and installation of central hydraulic systems that utilize PLC's.
  • Programme VBA tool to organize and manage operator-supply production data into a comprehensive data set.
  • Prepare summonses and other writs.
  • Create as-built drawings to reflect changes in the field during construction process.
  • Prepare civil summonses and other writs by typing proper forms and creating envelopes.
  • Field technician for QC of for concrete, pile, and structural backfill installation.
  • Show more

Senior structural engineer example responsibilities.

  • Authore substantiation documents in compliance with FAA regulations and customer requirements to achieve type certifications and supplemental type certifications.
  • Perform project programming, project scheduling and detail cost estimates used to establish priorities in rehabilitation and construction projects.
  • Train to use SAP2000 to analyze highway RC bridges.
  • Analyze existing wing of a light aircraft for increase loading using FEMAP and NASTRAN.
  • Prepare new templates in MathCAD for engineers to use such as anchor bolts and weld design.
  • Prepare parking garage condition assessment reports and repair design, using carbon fiber material for some repairs per ACI 440.2R-02.
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Civil engineering internship vs senior structural engineer skills

Common civil engineering internship skills
  • Civil 3D, 23%
  • GIS, 14%
  • Roadway Design, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Construction Management, 4%
  • Cost Estimates, 3%
Common senior structural engineer skills
  • Structural Analysis, 9%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • RISA, 5%
  • ACI, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • CAD, 4%

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