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Drainage engineer vs structural design engineer

The differences between drainage 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 drainage engineer and a structural design engineer. Additionally, a drainage engineer has an average salary of $80,313, which is higher than the $75,662 average annual salary of a structural design engineer.

The top three skills for a drainage engineer include hec ras, HEC-RAS and autocad. The most important skills for a structural design engineer are structural design, CAD, and autocad.

Drainage engineer vs structural design engineer overview

Drainage EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Yearly salary$80,313$75,662
Hourly rate$38.61$36.38
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs16,04457,187
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
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 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.

Drainage engineer vs structural design engineer salary

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

Drainage EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Average salary$80,313$75,662
Salary rangeBetween $60,000 And $106,000Between $54,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CityEnglewood, COSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyParsonsGoogle
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between drainage engineer and structural design engineer education

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

Drainage EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringCivil Engineering
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborCarnegie Mellon University

Drainage engineer vs structural design engineer demographics

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

Drainage EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 87.5% Female, 12.5%Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%
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, 10.3% Asian, 17.3% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between drainage engineer and structural design 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.

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

Drainage engineer vs structural design engineer skills

Common drainage engineer skills
  • Hec Ras, 26%
  • HEC-RAS, 12%
  • Autocad, 11%
  • Engineering Design, 7%
  • Cost Estimates, 5%
  • HEC-HMS, 5%
Common structural design engineer skills
  • Structural Design, 15%
  • CAD, 10%
  • Autocad, 7%
  • Aerospace, 6%
  • GD, 5%
  • Aided Design, 5%

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