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The differences between geotechnical engineers and assistant project 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 geotechnical engineer and an assistant project engineer. Additionally, a geotechnical engineer has an average salary of $74,831, which is higher than the $70,944 average annual salary of an assistant project engineer.
The top three skills for a geotechnical engineer include geotechnical, civil engineering and project management. The most important skills for an assistant project engineer are shop drawings, contract drawings, and construction management.
| Geotechnical Engineer | Assistant Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $74,831 | $70,944 |
| Hourly rate | $35.98 | $34.11 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 15,062 | 32,602 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A Geotechnical Engineer plans and designs the structures for buildings, roads, embankments, canals, and other construction projects. They provide advice to civil and structural engineers, architects, and construction personnel.
An assistant project engineer performs support tasks to assist project engineers in overseeing and managing engineering projects. Their responsibilities include conducting inspections and assessments, performing research and analyses, processing documents and certifications, managing schedules, liaising with internal and external parties, and providing technical support to staff as necessary. Besides reporting directly to the project engineer, they also work together in implementing policies and monitoring operations to ensure that engineering projects adhere to project guidelines and requirements.
Geotechnical engineers and assistant project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Geotechnical Engineer | Assistant Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $74,831 | $70,944 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $99,000 | Between $55,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Oklahoma |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Westinghouse Appliances Australia |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a geotechnical engineer and an assistant project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Geotechnical Engineer | Assistant Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Columbia University in the City of New York |
Here are the differences between geotechnical engineers' and assistant project engineers' demographics:
| Geotechnical Engineer | Assistant Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.8% Female, 17.2% | Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 17.0% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.7% Asian, 17.3% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |