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Drainage engineer vs senior structural engineer

The differences between drainage engineers 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 drainage engineer and a senior structural engineer. Additionally, a senior structural engineer has an average salary of $94,406, which is higher than the $80,313 average annual salary of a drainage engineer.

The top three skills for a drainage engineer include hec ras, HEC-RAS and autocad. The most important skills for a senior structural engineer are structural analysis, rehabilitation, and RISA.

Drainage engineer vs senior structural engineer overview

Drainage EngineerSenior Structural Engineer
Yearly salary$80,313$94,406
Hourly rate$38.61$45.39
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs16,04438,584
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does a drainage engineer do?

A drainage engineer is primarily responsible for the construction of drainage systems and sewage. They are involved in the planning and designing of drainage systems, allocating the budget for its creation, and, together with the construction team, build the design on the location specified. They oversee the construction, making sure all instructions are followed. They are also responsible for maintaining the system, repairing if there is damage. They also check for any improvements in the market and apply them to the constructed drainage system.

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.

Drainage engineer vs senior structural engineer salary

Drainage engineers and senior structural engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Drainage EngineerSenior Structural Engineer
Average salary$80,313$94,406
Salary rangeBetween $60,000 And $106,000Between $70,000 And $125,000
Highest paying CityEnglewood, COSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyParsonsRivian
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between drainage engineer and senior structural engineer education

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

Drainage EngineerSenior 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

Drainage engineer vs senior structural engineer demographics

Here are the differences between drainage engineers' and senior structural engineers' demographics:

Drainage EngineerSenior Structural Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 87.5% Female, 12.5%Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 drainage engineer and senior structural engineer duties and responsibilities

Drainage engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage a geotechnical investigation that include determining boring locations and soliciting bids.
  • Perform slope stability drilling investigations, site inspection and supervision of slope stabilization construction of berms and concrete caisson piles.
  • Finalize designs and calculations for a stormwater conveyance system and stormwater detention basins for a new power plant in Pennsylvania.
  • Assist site supervisors in the evaluation of submittals, RFI's if require.

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.
  • Show more

Drainage engineer vs senior structural engineer skills

Common drainage engineer skills
  • Hec Ras, 26%
  • HEC-RAS, 12%
  • Autocad, 11%
  • Engineering Design, 7%
  • Cost Estimates, 5%
  • HEC-HMS, 5%
Common senior structural engineer skills
  • Structural Analysis, 9%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • RISA, 5%
  • ACI, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • CAD, 4%

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