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Lead piping designer vs project engineer

The differences between lead piping designers and 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 lead piping designer and a project engineer. Additionally, a lead piping designer has an average salary of $111,648, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.

The top three skills for a lead piping designer include autocad, equipment layout and p id. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.

Lead piping designer vs project engineer overview

Lead Piping DesignerProject Engineer
Yearly salary$111,648$75,050
Hourly rate$53.68$36.08
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs49,802176,689
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does a lead piping designer do?

A lead piping designer is primarily in charge of designing and drafting plans and layouts for developing and constructing pipe systems for water, gas, oil, petroleum, or sewage. Their job entails conducting extensive research and assessments, gathering and analyzing data, utilizing tools and software, coordinating with experts, and creating models for approval. Additionally, as a lead designer, it is essential to coordinate and lead junior designers in a joint effort to complete project goals while adhering to safety standards, policies, and regulations.

What does a project engineer do?

A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.

Lead piping designer vs project engineer salary

Lead piping designers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead Piping DesignerProject Engineer
Average salary$111,648$75,050
Salary rangeBetween $78,000 And $158,000Between $55,000 And $100,000
Highest paying City-Richmond, CA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between lead piping designer and project engineer education

There are a few differences between a lead piping designer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:

Lead Piping DesignerProject Engineer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Lead piping designer vs project engineer demographics

Here are the differences between lead piping designers' and project engineers' demographics:

Lead Piping DesignerProject Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 93.6% Female, 6.4%Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between lead piping designer and project engineer duties and responsibilities

Lead piping designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain CADWorx databases, verify data accuracy, and create reports and queries.
  • Provide client 3D progress presentations using Navisworks.
  • Initiate and complete final existing piping modifications (PRM) for new rack support installations throughout MPC refinery.
  • Serve as direct liaison between refinery personnel and WorleyParsons management.
  • Check completed projects and revise documentation affect by modifications to reflect as-built condition of plant.
  • Analyze stress systems using visual and AutoPIPE computer aid calculations.

Project engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage TCP/IP LAN environment for the time during implementation.
  • Support and manage the development of a CNC base electron beam drill.
  • Lead a MGPP six sigma project to improve the accuracy of 3D clutch cooling analysis
  • Manage the BHP enterprise wide migration from e-rooms to SharePoint for document management and team collaboration.
  • Manage the installation of a CNC laser cutting system with full responsibility for all aspects of the project.
  • Coordinate and manage activities of the 787-9 IPT's to complete the specific aircraft side of the test cells.
  • Show more

Lead piping designer vs project engineer skills

Common lead piping designer skills
  • Autocad, 13%
  • Equipment Layout, 10%
  • P Id, 6%
  • Refinery, 6%
  • Navisworks, 5%
  • Chemical Plant, 4%
Common project engineer skills
  • Project Management, 12%
  • Autocad, 7%
  • Construction Management, 6%
  • CAD, 4%
  • UL, 4%
  • Cost Estimates, 3%

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