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The differences between water resources engineers and 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 water resources engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $80,432 average annual salary of a water resources engineer.
The top three skills for a water resources engineer include hec ras, hydrologic and civil engineering. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Water Resources Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,432 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $38.67 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 38,911 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A water resource engineer develops new systems and equipment for a water resource management facility. You will be responsible for dealing with the provision for wastewater and sewage disposal, and prevention of flood damage. Your job may involve building, repairing, and maintaining structures for water resource control such as reservoirs and sea defense walls, and designing flood defense programs and sewer improvement plans. In addition, you are also expected to prepare tender documents and liaising with different individuals and agencies, including government agencies, local authorities, and contractors.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Water resources engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Water Resources Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $80,432 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $111,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a water resources engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Water Resources Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between water resources engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Water Resources Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.0% Female, 18.0% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 13.1% White, 68.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 5% |