Structural Engineer Salary With Masters

Structural engineer jobs are rewarding and challenging, but the number of openings varies from year to year. With Careerkeg’s help, you can find the perfect structural engineer job for you. Start your search today!

Structural engineers are responsible for designing buildings and other structures to ensure they can withstand natural and man-made forces. While structural engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, some may pursue careers as building inspectors or surveyors after graduating with an associate’s degree. A master’s degree is typically required to become a licensed professional engineer (PE), which can help increase earning potential. The median annual wage for structural engineers was $81,760 as of May 2017.

Structural engineers are responsible for designing the framework that supports buildings, bridges, and other structures. They use advanced math and science to calculate how much weight a structure can hold, how much force it can withstand, and how strong it needs to be in order to carry out its function safely.

The average salary for structural engineer is $81,000 per year. The highest salary for structural engineer is $135,000 per year.

What Do Structural Engineers Do?

Structural engineering is a branch of civil engineering that involves the design, construction, and repair of many different types of structures. The job of a structural engineer is to act as a consultant to architects and contractors throughout the construction project, offering expert advice on technical problems. Structural engineers are typically contracted on projects involving sports arenas, bridges, large buildings, or any other weight-bearing structure. On a day-to-day basis, a structural engineer may assist the head architect with initial layout and design of a structure, including plans for maintenance or overall remodels. They calculate loads, such as wind, snow, and earthquake forces, to determine which structural system is safest. Some structural engineers specialize in demolition and are responsible for ensuring projects are carried out safely and without damage to surrounding structures. Others specialize in oil drilling machinery, aircraft and shipbuilding vehicle design, or temporary structure builds.

How Do I Become a Structural Engineer?

To become a structural engineer, earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or a related field. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and complete a four-year progressive internship or apprenticeship program under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer (PE). Once you have completed your training, obtain your license by passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam.

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What Skills Are Required to Be a Structural Engineer?

A structural engineer must have an analytical and mathematical mind, as well as expert problem-solving skills. Experience in leadership, management, and strong interpersonal communication are also essential. Many projects require a strong grasp of physics and three-dimensional conceptual skills. Structural engineers must be able to solve challenging technical problems through creative solutions, and should be prepared to work with many different kinds of structural materials and systems, including concrete, steel, wood, and masonry, depending on the project at hand.

Structural Engineer Job Description Sample

With this Structural Engineer job description sample, you can get a good idea of what employers are looking for when hiring for this position. Remember, every employer is different and each will have unique qualifications when they hire for a Structural Engineer role.

Job Summary

Our civil engineering firm is looking for a Structural Engineer to assist in the design of our projects and ensure building integrity. Applicants must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil or structural engineering as well as several years of design experience. To fulfill the responsibilities of this role, you must also have experience using computer-aided design software and BIM (building information modeling) software. This is a collaborative position that requires advanced technical and analytical skills. Applicants with a Professional Engineering (PE) license are strongly preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in structural design and construction
• Ensure building integrity in various weather conditions
• Design test plans and analyze results
• Perform reviews of technical drawings and project specifications to ensure structural integrity in adverse air, water, thermal, seismic, and acoustic conditions
• Ensure projects are up to code and on schedule

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, mathematics, or a closely related field
• Master’s degree (preferred)
• Structural design experience
• Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred (EIT required for entry-level roles)
• Experience with AutoCAD, or similar computer-aided design software
• Experience with BIM (building information modeling) software, such as Revit

Structural Engineer Salary With Master’s

While a master’s can lead to a salary increase in the position that you hold today, it can also open doors for new roles, either in your current workplace or within a new organization. And with a higher education combined with your experience in the field, these new positions that you qualify for will likely carry not only additional responsibilities and opportunities, but a higher annual salary as well.

According to Monster, top jobs that you can land with a master’s in electrical engineering include senior systems engineer (median annual salary of $124,000), software developer (median annual salary $112,000) and senior electrical engineer (median annual salary of $108,000). If you earn a master’s in chemical engineering, considering pursuing a position as a process engineering manager (median annual salary of $148,000), senior chemical engineer (median annual salary of $124,000) or chemical process engineer (median annual salary of $102,000). Master’s in mechanical engineering grads should consider becoming a senior mechanical engineer (median annual salary of $100,000), project engineer (median annual salary of $88,300) and mechanical engineer (median annual salary of $86,800). With a master’s in civil engineering, construction project manager (median annual salary of $97,100), structural engineer (median annual salary of $86,600) and civil engineer (median annual salary of $84,800) are all lucrative options for a career that is both professionally and financially rewarding.

A master’s will also set you apart when you apply for more general positions. With a growing number of engineers entering the field, the job market can be competitive when you seek a new position or promotion. If you are happy in your workplace but want to demonstrate your potential for advancement, pursuing a master’s degree could be the right next step for your career.

High Paying Structural Engineer Jobs

• Stress EngineerSalary range: $94,500-$156,000 per yearAs a stress engineer, you make models using various materials and apply stress to test how much strain the structures can handle. Your duties are to conduct a detailed analysis of your test cases and to report to other engineers, architects, and facilities managers. You can find stress engineer jobs in many industries, including aerospace and aviation, automotive, medical, nuclear power, and plastics. Much of your work takes place in a laboratory, where you build prototypes from different materials to figure out which materials and what designs can withstand the most stress.
• Structural Analysis EngineerSalary range: $117,000-$150,500 per yearAs a structural analysis engineer, you test equipment, buildings, and manufactured products to determine whether or not they meet performance goals, standards, regulations, and requirements. You may perform a stress test on various materials, monitor construction data, evaluate equipment or design blueprints, and otherwise help to ensure the final product is structurally sound. Most structural analysis engineers focus on building construction, but some work with aircraft, cars, or other heavy equipment instead. This job is highly time-sensitive because construction often cannot proceed until structural analysis checks are done. So, the ability to work quickly and efficiently is essential to success in this role.
• Structural Test EngineerSalary range: $83,500-$147,000 per yearThe majority of Structural Test Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $83,500 (25th percentile) and $147,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Structural Test Engineer job market in the United States is moderately active, with several companies hiring.
• Stress AnalystSalary range: $84,500-$145,500 per yearThe majority of Stress Analyst salaries across the United States currently range between $84,500 (25th percentile) and $145,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Stress Analyst job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
• Forensic Structural EngineerSalary range: $95,000-$127,500 per yearA forensic structural engineer handles the investigation and inspection of building structures to ensure compliance with industry regulation and discover reasons for failure. Your primary responsibilities in this career have you analyzing damage to structures, identifying causes of structural failures, and preparing reports on your findings. Your duties may also include developing protocols for dealing with compliance issues, reviewing photos and site information, and researching code specifications. A forensic structural engineer often works on multiple projects, visits various field sites, and collaborates with several team members.
• Mrb EngineerSalary range: $75,500-$107,500 per yearA material review board (MRB) engineer performs duties related to the complex engineering problems of aerospace design and development. As an MRB engineer, your responsibilities include reviewing and resolving defects and nonconforming conditions in assemblies, documenting and determining if abnormalities are related to engineering issues, and ensuring corrections will not negatively affect the functionality of systems. You also verify that materials are structurally adequate for their purpose in the assembly, monitor installation of those materials, and help implement any changes as needed.
• Civil Structural DesignerSalary range: $78,000-$103,000 per yearThe job of a civil structural designer is to provide engineering services for the construction of buildings, bridges, and structure foundation. Your responsibilities in this career include producing 3D models and 2D drawings with CAD software in accordance with project specifications. You investigate sites and complete steel and concrete modeling and drafting for both the front-end planning and detailed engineering phase. You are expected to help the lead designer deliver project requirements related to cost, schedule, quantities, and scope and perform conceptual layout work. Other duties include working closely with engineers, writing reports and correspondences, and speaking with clients and employees.
• Structural Steel EngineerSalary range: $58,500-$99,000 per yearThe majority of Structural Steel Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $58,500 (25th percentile) and $99,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Structural Steel Engineer job market in the United States is moderately active, with several companies hiring.
• Structural Engineering TechnicianSalary range: $48,000-$77,500 per yearThe majority of Structural Engineering Technician salaries across the United States currently range between $48,000 (25th percentile) and $77,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Structural Engineering Technician job market in the United States is moderately active, with several companies hiring.
• Stress Test TechnicianSalary range: $35,000-$65,500 per yearAs a stress test technician, you are responsible for performing electrocardiogram (ECG) tests on patients while they exercise or walk on a treadmill to gather data on their heart. You monitor the patient and their heart during exercise and record exercise intensity, patient pain levels, and blood pressure. You must ensure the proper placement of electrodes on the patient’s body to obtain appropriate data. You must inform the appropriate care providers with any cardiac abnormalities or concerns that occur before, during, or after ECG testing. Duties also include maintaining the ECG equipment, keeping the ECG lab clean, and restocking supplies as needed.