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Construction project engineer vs structural design engineer

The differences between construction project engineers and structural design 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 construction project engineer and a structural design engineer. Additionally, a structural design engineer has an average salary of $75,662, which is higher than the $68,635 average annual salary of a construction project engineer.

The top three skills for a construction project engineer include construction management, project management and construction materials. The most important skills for a structural design engineer are structural design, CAD, and autocad.

Construction project engineer vs structural design engineer overview

Construction Project EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Yearly salary$68,635$75,662
Hourly rate$33.00$36.38
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs66,14757,187
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does a construction project engineer do?

A construction project engineer specializes in performing technical work while coordinating clients, managers, subcontractors, and suppliers, ensuring efficient and safe operations. Moreover, their responsibilities revolve around reviewing overall construction plans and blueprints, delegating tasks, gathering data, producing progress reports, developing project objectives, and monitoring construction progress while prioritizing the budget and deadlines. They may also control project plans, assess workforce performance, and maintain daily records. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe work environment for everyone.

What does a structural design engineer do?

A Structural Design Engineer designs drawings, specifications, and computer models of structures for building contractors. They help design hospitals, office blocks, houses, bridges, ships, and other structures.

Construction project engineer vs structural design engineer salary

Construction project engineers and structural design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Construction Project EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Average salary$68,635$75,662
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $87,000Between $54,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAbbottGoogle
Best paying industryHealth CareManufacturing

Differences between construction project engineer and structural design engineer education

There are a few differences between a construction project engineer and a structural design engineer in terms of educational background:

Construction Project EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringCivil Engineering
Most common collegeColumbia University in the City of New YorkCarnegie Mellon University

Construction project engineer vs structural design engineer demographics

Here are the differences between construction project engineers' and structural design engineers' demographics:

Construction Project EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 90.3% Female, 9.7%Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 11.4% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 17.3% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between construction project engineer and structural design engineer duties and responsibilities

Construction project engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage roll-out and operation of new site CMMS system, ARCHIbus.
  • Ensure the quick responses from designers for RFI (s) for all project manage and oversee.
  • Facilitate coordination between MEP trades and manage finishes.
  • Manage QA activities and maintain up-to-date quality control system.
  • Manage and/or participate in a variety of water and wastewater assist company principles as engineering consultants for numerous municipal clients.
  • Lead teams in FDA compliance, IQ-OQ-PQ validation methods.
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Structural design engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team on a year-long retrofit design effort for the F/A-18 E/F wing.
  • Review of design standards and procedures to conform to current IBC, ASCE, AWWA and ACI codes.
  • Perform stress analysis by hand and using FEA.
  • Load rating analysis and calculation methods base on AASHTO LRFR specifications.
  • Design steel pipe supports & frames for liquid natural plants using ASCE & AISC.
  • Perform seismic and wind load calculations in compliance with the ASCE 7-05, IBC and Ohio building codes.
  • Show more

Construction project engineer vs structural design engineer skills

Common construction project engineer skills
  • Construction Management, 20%
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Construction Materials, 6%
  • Construction Projects, 6%
  • Shop Drawings, 4%
  • Meeting Minutes, 4%
Common structural design engineer skills
  • Structural Design, 15%
  • CAD, 10%
  • Autocad, 7%
  • Aerospace, 6%
  • GD, 5%
  • Aided Design, 5%

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