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The differences between civil engineering technicians and structural 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 a structural designer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a structural designer has an average salary of $63,273, 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 a structural designer are revit, structural design, and BIM.
| Civil Engineering Technician | Structural Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $53,829 | $63,273 |
| Hourly rate | $25.88 | $30.42 |
| Growth rate | - | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 75,756 | 51,432 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 6 |
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.
A Structural Designer designs, develops, and supervises the construction of new buildings and bridges, or extensions to existing properties or other structures. They review and update construction drawings as well as communicate project problems and flaws to managers.
Civil engineering technicians and structural designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Civil Engineering Technician | Structural Designer | |
| Average salary | $53,829 | $63,273 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $78,000 | Between $47,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | City of Los Angeles | Tesla |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Construction |
There are a few differences between a civil engineering technician and a structural designer in terms of educational background:
| Civil Engineering Technician | Structural Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between civil engineering technicians' and structural designers' demographics:
| Civil Engineering Technician | Structural Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5% | Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6% |
| 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, 4.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 12.8% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |