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Structural steel engineer vs civil designer

The differences between structural steel engineers and civil 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 structural steel engineer and a civil designer. Additionally, a structural steel engineer has an average salary of $74,031, which is higher than the $58,421 average annual salary of a civil designer.

The top three skills for a structural steel engineer include calculation, subcontractors and steel structures. The most important skills for a civil designer are civil 3d, autocad, and civil engineering.

Structural steel engineer vs civil designer overview

Structural Steel EngineerCivil Designer
Yearly salary$74,031$58,421
Hourly rate$35.59$28.09
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs15,51557,036
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

Structural steel engineer vs civil designer salary

Structural steel engineers and civil designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Structural Steel EngineerCivil Designer
Average salary$74,031$58,421
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $97,000Between $41,000 And $81,000
Highest paying CitySalem, ORWalnut Creek, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyRAZ MobileParsons
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between structural steel engineer and civil designer education

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

Structural Steel EngineerCivil Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringDrafting And Design
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborCarnegie Mellon University

Structural steel engineer vs civil designer demographics

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

Structural Steel EngineerCivil Designer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 94.6% Female, 5.4%Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 11.2% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between structural steel engineer and civil designer duties and responsibilities

Structural steel engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team on a year-long retrofit design effort for the F/A-18 E/F wing.
  • Perform detailed geotechnical and structural engineering for TLP tendon foundation and tender- assist drilling semi mooring pile foundation systems.
  • Prepare calculation documents and technical specifications to be used for material procurement, fabrication and installation of the structures and components.
  • Select to coach and train entry level engineers on SAP2000.
  • Perform 3-D modeling of building using SAP2000, Etabs & Staad.Pro.
  • Develop skills with RISA-3D analyzing pipe racks and platforms attach to vessels.
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Civil designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage production of full sets of contract documents (grading, drainage, water, sewer, paving and SWPPP).
  • Create and revise detail drawings (MEP).
  • Deliver as-built MEP schematics and structural details.
  • Perform the analysis of guy communication towers using CSA-S37/01 and AISC manual guidelines.
  • Use Trimble GPS station to survey projects, upload data into trimble geomatics office3.
  • Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations and establishreference points, grades and elevations to guide construction.
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Structural steel engineer vs civil designer skills

Common structural steel engineer skills
  • Calculation, 38%
  • Subcontractors, 24%
  • Steel Structures, 19%
  • Shop Drawings, 12%
  • Auto CAD, 8%
Common civil designer skills
  • Civil 3D, 18%
  • Autocad, 16%
  • Civil Engineering, 8%
  • Civil Design, 4%
  • Site Design, 4%
  • GIS, 3%

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