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Senior civil engineer vs structural design engineer

The differences between senior civil 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 senior civil engineer and a structural design engineer. Additionally, a senior civil engineer has an average salary of $83,749, which is higher than the $75,662 average annual salary of a structural design engineer.

The top three skills for a senior civil engineer include civil 3d, project management and CAD. The most important skills for a structural design engineer are structural design, CAD, and autocad.

Senior civil engineer vs structural design engineer overview

Senior Civil EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Yearly salary$83,749$75,662
Hourly rate$40.26$36.38
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs38,16257,187
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does a senior civil engineer do?

A senior civil engineer is primarily in charge of overseeing the development of public structures such as buildings, bridges, pipelines, and roads. They are responsible for spearheading the design and planning stages, setting goals and objectives, managing budgets and timelines, performing due diligence, inspecting construction sites, and documenting the procedures. Above all, as a senior civil engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a role model to fellow engineers and contractors, all while implementing the construction site's safety policies and regulations.

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.

Senior civil engineer vs structural design engineer salary

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

Senior Civil EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Average salary$83,749$75,662
Salary rangeBetween $60,000 And $115,000Between $54,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CitySan Rafael, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyMicrosoftGoogle
Best paying industryRetailManufacturing

Differences between senior civil engineer and structural design engineer education

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

Senior Civil EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringCivil Engineering
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborCarnegie Mellon University

Senior civil engineer vs structural design engineer demographics

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

Senior Civil EngineerStructural Design Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 88.9% Female, 11.1%Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 16.6% White, 63.8% 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 senior civil engineer and structural design engineer duties and responsibilities

Senior civil engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage a geotechnical investigation that include determining boring locations and soliciting bids.
  • Analyze bridge structures for deficiencies following the AASHTO code using hand calculations and software.
  • Respond to RFI's and keep the daily logs and quantity book up to date.
  • Design bridges and other highway relate structures using PennDOT standards, and AASHTO policies and procedures.
  • Represent the client (MTA) during CPM schedule update reviews and contractor requests for change orders.
  • Evaluate contractor's procedure for execution, CPM's, breakdowns for payments and contractors certifications for payments.
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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

Senior civil engineer vs structural design engineer skills

Common senior civil engineer skills
  • Civil 3D, 13%
  • Project Management, 11%
  • CAD, 5%
  • Construction Management, 5%
  • Geotechnical, 4%
  • Business Development, 4%
Common structural design engineer skills
  • Structural Design, 15%
  • CAD, 10%
  • Autocad, 7%
  • Aerospace, 6%
  • GD, 5%
  • Aided Design, 5%

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