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Drainage engineer vs structural designer

The differences between drainage engineers and structural designers 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 designer. Additionally, a drainage engineer has an average salary of $80,313, which is higher than the $63,273 average annual salary of a structural designer.

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

Drainage engineer vs structural designer overview

Drainage EngineerStructural Designer
Yearly salary$80,313$63,273
Hourly rate$38.61$30.42
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs16,04451,432
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
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 designer do?

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.

Drainage engineer vs structural designer salary

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

Drainage EngineerStructural Designer
Average salary$80,313$63,273
Salary rangeBetween $60,000 And $106,000Between $47,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CityEnglewood, COSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyParsonsTesla
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between drainage engineer and structural designer education

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

Drainage EngineerStructural Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringDrafting And Design
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborCarnegie Mellon University

Drainage engineer vs structural designer demographics

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

Drainage EngineerStructural Designer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 87.5% Female, 12.5%Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6%
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, 4.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 12.8% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between drainage engineer and structural designer 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 designer example responsibilities.

  • Field route pipe systems; manage line and pipe support list; ISO s for fabrication / installation.
  • Assure compliance with refinery and OSHA safety requirements in selecting, locating and hookup of equipment.
  • Develop record system, QA & QC policies and procedures, peer review system to reduce installation errors.
  • Provide general arrangement, detail, and design drawings of ladders, platforms, and frame structure for the following projects.
  • Prepare AutoCAD engineering drawings of structural components for natural gas turbine compressor stations.
  • Programme PLC, VFD and SCADA equipment.
  • Show more

Drainage engineer vs structural designer skills

Common drainage engineer skills
  • Hec Ras, 26%
  • HEC-RAS, 12%
  • Autocad, 11%
  • Engineering Design, 7%
  • Cost Estimates, 5%
  • HEC-HMS, 5%
Common structural designer skills
  • Revit, 14%
  • Structural Design, 10%
  • BIM, 5%
  • Navisworks, 5%
  • Ladders, 4%
  • Engineering Design, 4%

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