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The differences between civil engineering technicians and architectural designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become a civil engineering technician, becoming an architectural designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an architectural designer has an average salary of $59,122, which is higher than the $53,829 average annual salary of a civil engineering technician.
The top three skills for a civil engineering technician include civil 3d, asphalt and construction sites. The most important skills for an architectural designer are sketch, sketchup, and BIM.
| Civil Engineering Technician | Architectural Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $53,829 | $59,122 |
| Hourly rate | $25.88 | $28.42 |
| Growth rate | - | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 75,756 | 54,358 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 12 |
A civil engineering technician assists civil engineers in planning, designing, and constructing bridges, highways, and other infrastructure projects. Civil engineering technicians typically work under the leadership of licensed civil engineers. They focus on construction projects for industrial, development, residential, and commercial infrastructure. It is imperative for them to have a better understanding and work with systems associated with construction projects. They should be equipped with knowledge of engineering, construction, and reading skills.
An Architectural Designer is specialized in planning and designing structures/urban landscapes. They ensure that company policies and standards are maintained when providing services to clients.
Civil engineering technicians and architectural designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Civil Engineering Technician | Architectural Designer | |
| Average salary | $53,829 | $59,122 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $78,000 | Between $45,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Vermont |
| Best paying company | City of Los Angeles | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Professional |
There are a few differences between a civil engineering technician and an architectural designer in terms of educational background:
| Civil Engineering Technician | Architectural Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Architecture |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between civil engineering technicians' and architectural designers' demographics:
| Civil Engineering Technician | Architectural Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |