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The differences between senior engineering technicians and consulting engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a senior engineering technician, becoming a consulting engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a consulting engineer has an average salary of $97,746, which is higher than the $88,615 average annual salary of a senior engineering technician.
The top three skills for a senior engineering technician include java, SR and emerging technologies. The most important skills for a consulting engineer are java, C #, and linux.
| Senior Engineering Technician | Consulting Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $88,615 | $97,746 |
| Hourly rate | $42.60 | $46.99 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 94,734 | 125,600 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A Senior Engineering Technician uses the technical principles of engineering to create and develop a project or product. They also provide technical assistance to professional engineering staff on special projects.
A consulting engineer is an individual who aids in the planning, designing, and construction of a project from the public and private clients. Consulting engineers are required to advise on the best component suitable according to the needs of their clients. They can manage the project by coordinating with designers, architects, and relevant persons who have commissioned the project. They may incorporate green sustainable energy solutions based on the demands of their clients. Consulting engineers must also conduct a feasibility study and prepare the estimated cost for the project.
Senior engineering technicians and consulting engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Engineering Technician | Consulting Engineer | |
| Average salary | $88,615 | $97,746 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $123,000 | Between $72,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Washington |
| Best paying company | CrowdStrike | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior engineering technician and a consulting engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Engineering Technician | Consulting Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between senior engineering technicians' and consulting engineers' demographics:
| Senior Engineering Technician | Consulting Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5% | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 11.3% White, 58.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 13.8% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |