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Structural steel engineer vs senior structural engineer

The differences between structural steel engineers and senior structural 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 structural steel engineer and a senior structural engineer. Additionally, a senior structural engineer has an average salary of $94,406, which is higher than the $74,031 average annual salary of a structural steel engineer.

The top three skills for a structural steel engineer include calculation, subcontractors and steel structures. The most important skills for a senior structural engineer are structural analysis, rehabilitation, and RISA.

Structural steel engineer vs senior structural engineer overview

Structural Steel EngineerSenior Structural Engineer
Yearly salary$74,031$94,406
Hourly rate$35.59$45.39
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs15,51538,584
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

Structural steel engineer vs senior structural engineer salary

Structural steel engineers and senior structural engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Structural Steel EngineerSenior Structural Engineer
Average salary$74,031$94,406
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $97,000Between $70,000 And $125,000
Highest paying CitySalem, ORSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyRAZ MobileRivian
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between structural steel engineer and senior structural engineer education

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

Structural Steel EngineerSenior Structural Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringCivil Engineering
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Structural steel engineer vs senior structural engineer demographics

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

Structural Steel EngineerSenior Structural Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 94.6% Female, 5.4%Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0%
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, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 17.8% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between structural steel engineer and senior structural engineer 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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Senior structural engineer example responsibilities.

  • Authore substantiation documents in compliance with FAA regulations and customer requirements to achieve type certifications and supplemental type certifications.
  • Perform project programming, project scheduling and detail cost estimates used to establish priorities in rehabilitation and construction projects.
  • Train to use SAP2000 to analyze highway RC bridges.
  • Analyze existing wing of a light aircraft for increase loading using FEMAP and NASTRAN.
  • Prepare new templates in MathCAD for engineers to use such as anchor bolts and weld design.
  • Prepare parking garage condition assessment reports and repair design, using carbon fiber material for some repairs per ACI 440.2R-02.
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Structural steel engineer vs senior structural engineer skills

Common structural steel engineer skills
  • Calculation, 38%
  • Subcontractors, 24%
  • Steel Structures, 19%
  • Shop Drawings, 12%
  • Auto CAD, 8%
Common senior structural engineer skills
  • Structural Analysis, 9%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • RISA, 5%
  • ACI, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • CAD, 4%

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