Civil Engineer vs Structural Engineer: Key Differences in Role, Skills, and Career Path

Civil engineering and structural engineering are closely related disciplines that are often confused. But while civil and structural engineers collaborate frequently, there are crucial distinctions between these two careers.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain the core differences between civil engineers and structural engineers. By examining their role descriptions, required qualifications, job duties, work environments, skills, and career timelines, you can determine which field aligns with your talents and interests.

Let’s dive in and uncover the unique career paths of civil engineering versus structural engineering!

An Overview of Civil Engineering

Civil engineers plan, design, and oversee construction and maintenance of infrastructure projects. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), common civil engineering projects include:

• Roads
• Bridges
• Tunnels
• Dams
• Buildings
• Transit systems
• Airports
• Water supply and sewage systems

Civil engineers ensure infrastructure projects meet safety standards while being functional, sustainable, and cost-effective. They manage projects from initial concept through completion.

Civil engineers work for government agencies, engineering firms, construction companies, and other organizations. Their work directly impacts public safety, quality of life and economic development.

An Overview of Structural Engineering

Structural engineers analyze and design load-bearing structures like buildings, bridges, and stadiums. Their role focuses on a project’s stability, strength, and durability.

Key duties include

• Evaluating environmental factors like wind, earthquakes, and traffic
• Performing computer modeling and simulations
• Designing foundations and structural components
• Selecting appropriate building materials
• Creating technical drawings and documents
• Overseeing construction to ensure structural integrity

Structural engineers work alongside civil engineers, architects, and construction managers Their expertise is vital for creating secure buildings and infrastructure able to withstand natural disasters

5 Key Differences Between Civil and Structural Engineering

While civil and structural engineering overlap in the construction industry, the roles diverge in some important ways:

1. Scope of Responsibility

• Civil engineers manage all aspects of infrastructure projects from start to finish.

• Structural engineers focus narrowly on a building’s structural elements like the foundation, framing, floors, and roof.

2. Design Considerations

• Civil engineering design balances many factors like zoning, traffic, sustainability, permitting, and more.

• Structural engineering design concentrates solely on structural analysis, materials selection, and physics calculations.

3. Scale of Projects

• Civil engineers work on large-scale infrastructure like highways, airports, pipelines, and water treatment plants.

• Structural engineers design smaller-scale projects like commercial buildings, houses, or components like trusses and arches.

4. Job Duties

• Civil engineers survey project sites, draft preliminary designs, secure permits, manage budgets and timelines, oversee construction, and more.

• Structural engineers use software to design and test structures, draft technical drawings, specify materials, and consult with civil engineers.

5. Licensure

• Civil engineers must earn a Professional Engineer (PE) license which allows broader practice.

• Structural engineers get licensed as Professional Engineers (PE) and sometimes Structural Engineers (SE) focusing just on buildings.

As you can see, civil and structural engineering play complementary yet distinct roles anchored in common engineering principles.

Required Education and Licensing

Both civil engineers and structural engineers need a bachelor’s degree approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Programs typically last 4-5 years.

Required education includes:

• Math – Calculus, differential equations, statistics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Engineering mechanics
• Structural design
• Fluid mechanics
• Project management
• Engineering economics

Additionally, a PE license is mandatory for professional practice. Some states offer separate SE licensure for structural engineering. Licensure demonstrates competence through experience, testing, and continuing education.

Many engineers get a master’s degree for career advancement. Common graduate specialties include geotechnical engineering, construction management, and environmental engineering.

Day-to-Day Work Environments

Both civil and structural engineers collaborate with architects, construction professionals, and government agencies. However, their daily work looks quite different.

Typical civil engineer workdays involve:

• Conducting site surveys
• Developing permit applications
• Performing hydrology and traffic studies
• Creating preliminary designs and estimates
• Overseeing bidding and construction
• Managing teams and interfacing with clients
• Ensuring compliance with regulations

Typical structural engineer workdays involve:

• Analyzing architectural plans
• Performing computer modeling and calculations
• Designing structural systems and components
• Drafting technical drawings showing dimensions and materials
• Specifying construction techniques to meet design requirements
• Visiting construction sites to check structural integrity
• Providing emergency support for damaged buildings

As you can see, structural engineers apply technical expertise to maximize structural performance, while civil engineers manage broad project lifecycles from conception to completion.

Essential Skills and Personality Traits

Successful civil and structural engineers possess both “hard” and “soft” skills. Here are some key skills needed in both fields:

• Analytical skills – Analyze complex data and scenarios to inform engineering decisions

• Math skills – Apply calculus, statistics, geometry, trigonometry, and algebra

• Communication skills – Convey technical findings clearly to stakeholders in speech and writing

• Project management skills – Coordinate budgets, schedules, teams, and resources effectively

• Technical skills – Master engineering software programs for design, modeling, and analysis

• Problem-solving skills – Develop feasible, optimal solutions for engineering challenges

• Collaboration skills – Build relationships with clients, architects, managers, and builders

Personality traits also play a role in success. Both fields require:

• Precision and attention to detail
• Creative and analytical thinking
• The ability to multitask and prioritize
• Strong work ethic and time management
• Patience and positivity
• Adaptability and curiosity

A passion for building things and improving community infrastructure also helps drive career satisfaction.

Career Advancement Prospects

Civil engineers and structural engineers both benefit from diverse career growth opportunities. Here are some common career progressions:

Civil Engineer

• Civil site engineer
• Project engineer
• Design engineer
• Project manager
• Group manager
• Department head
• Principal/partner
• President/CEO

Structural Engineer

• Junior structural engineer
• Structural design engineer
• Senior structural engineer
• Engineering manager
• Principal/partner
• President/CEO
• Forensics structural engineer
• Professor

Many engineers obtain specialty certifications through technical societies. Some run their own engineering consulting firm. An MBA facilitates transitions into management.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Let’s summarize the key positives and challenges of each career path:

Civil Engineering Pros

• Manage impactful public works projects
• Solve complex real-world problems
• Coordinate and lead project teams
• Flexible career options in industry and government

Civil Engineering Cons

• Extended training and licensing period
• Stress meeting tight budgets and deadlines
• Site visits in extreme weather
• Public safety accountability pressures

Structural Engineering Pros

• Focus intensely on structural design
• See abstract concepts materialize
• Use creativity to optimize building performance
• Prestige as an expert engineering consultant

Structural Engineering Cons

• Narrowly specialized role
• Limited public interfacing
• Sedentary office-based work
• High liability for structural failures

Both careers offer dynamic challenges well-suited for analytical problem-solvers. Your interests and working style can steer you toward one over the other.

Which Career Path is Right for You?

Here are a few key questions to help determine if civil engineering or structural engineering best fits your skills and interests:

• Do you want to manage entire projects or focus on isolated components?

• Are you more interested in practical project execution or theoretical engineering design?

• Do you prefer working outdoors visiting job sites or indoors using building modeling software?

• Are you motivated by community impact and leading teams or technical structural optimization challenges?

• Do you want to oversee diverse infrastructure projects or specialized structures like skyscrapers?

• Does obtaining dual PE and SE licenses appeal to you?

Assess your answers thoughtfully. Listen to your instincts about where you will find the most meaning and engagement in your day-to-day work.

Start Building Your Civil or Structural Engineering Career

Both civil engineering and structural engineering offer dynamic, hands-on careers building awe-inspiring structures that improve lives. Although the roles differ, civil and structural engineers work hand-in-hand advancing infrastructure safety and capabilities.

By weighing the unique aspects of each career path, you can embark on the educational journey and professional trajectory best aligned with your talents, passions, and professional aspirations. With your engineering expertise, you will leave a