Civil Engineer vs Structural Engineer
Measured from each occupation's own live postings: mostly different jobs wearing similar names. Posted pay is close to a wash.
The short answer
On pay, this one is close to even. Postings that state a salary put civil engineers at $64k–$109k and structural engineers at $63k–$105k, so the midpoints sit within $3k of each other. The difference between the two jobs is in the work and the skills, not the paycheck.
On skills, they are mostly different jobs that happen to share a name or a hallway. The overlap is thin, which is often exactly why people search this pair. The readiness numbers further down say how far a typical profile on each side already reaches into the other, and which direction is the easier move.
Civil Engineer
civil engineer jobs · civil engineer salary · civil engineer career guide · careers for civil engineers
Structural Engineer
structural engineer jobs · structural engineer salary · structural engineer career guide · careers for structural engineers
The overlap, measured
Switching, both directions
Civil Engineer → Structural Engineer
PE license required to sign/seal structural work
Transition estimate: 12–24 mo + license.
What structural engineer postings ask for that civil engineer profiles usually lack: Structural Analysis, FEA / Simulation, Revit, Steel Design.
Structural Engineer → Civil Engineer
PE license required for responsible charge
Transition estimate: 12–24 mo + license.
What civil engineer postings ask for that structural engineer profiles usually lack: AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Assessment.
Open civil engineer roles
- Civil Engineer (Highway) - Direct Hire at Federal Highway AdministrationColumbus, Ohio$111k–$144kTodayApply
Civil Engineer/Physical Scientist (Interdisciplinary) at Bureau of ReclamationLakewood, Colorado$140k–$182kTodayApply- Ingenieur Bahninfrastruktur (m/w/d) at Aktiengesellschaft Matterhorn Gotthard BahnBrig, Valais, SwitzerlandTodayApply
- Senior Staff Civil Engineer at Direct employerChicago, IL; Kansas City , MO; New York, NY; Parsippany, NJ;$76k–$110kTodayUnlock
Open structural engineer roles
Civil Structural Engineer at ActalentFontana, CA1d agoApply- Civil / Structural Engineer at ENGINEERING SERVICES & PRODUCTS CDyersville, IA1d agoApply
- Civil/Structural Engineer at NPAworldwideOberlin, OH1d agoApply
- Civil/Structural Engineer at Kingspan Light and AirDeland, FL1d agoApply
See the whole board for both
1,303 open roles across the two.
Related comparisons
- Architect vs Civil Engineer51% peak overlap
- Civil Engineer vs Project Scheduler48% peak overlap
- Aerospace Engineer vs Structural Engineer47% peak overlap
- Civil Engineer vs MEP Engineer46% peak overlap
- Civil Engineer vs Project Engineer45% peak overlap
- Architect vs Structural Engineer39% peak overlap
Which one do your skills favor?
Run the instrument with your own skills and both numbers recompute for you. Free.
Quick answers
Which pays more, civil engineer or structural engineer?
On pay, this one is close to even. Postings that state a salary put civil engineers at $64k–$109k and structural engineers at $63k–$105k, so the midpoints sit within $3k of each other. The difference between the two jobs is in the work and the skills, not the paycheck. By seniority and country: civil engineer salary and structural engineer salary.
Are civil engineer and structural engineer the same job?
On skills, they are mostly different jobs that happen to share a name or a hallway. The overlap is thin, which is often exactly why people search this pair. The skills both sets of postings want most are Project Management, BIM, Sustainability, Training & Facilitation, Construction Administration.
Can a civil engineer become a structural engineer?
Yes, and the numbers say how far along you already are: a typical civil engineer profile covers 28% of what structural engineer postings ask for. One thing to settle first: pe license required to sign/seal structural work. Skill overlap does not shorten a credential. Our estimate for the move is 12–24 mo + license. The instrument lists the exact skills that make up the rest.
Can a structural engineer become a civil engineer?
Going the other way, a typical structural engineer profile covers 33% of what civil engineer postings ask for. Keep in mind: pe license required for responsible charge. Our estimate for the move is 12–24 mo + license.
How many civil engineer and structural engineer jobs are open right now?
Right now our board has 669 civil engineer openings and 634 structural engineer openings, each linking to the original posting. The board refreshes every night, so the counts move with the market. Hiring the most civil engineers at the moment: Direct employer (205), ZÜRCHER Consulting (18), AECOM (12). For structural engineers: Direct employer (84), AECOM (9), Gannett Fleming (5).
Pay is the posted middle half; readiness is how much of the other role’s skill demand a typical profile covers. Refreshed nightly.