Structural Engineer

Engineering AI-Augmented

Designs and analyzes the structures that support or resist loads, such as buildings and bridges.

Work Profile

Stress

7/10

Work-Life

7/10

Future Outlook

7/10

Hours / Week

Salary Growth

Starting

$72,000

Year 5

$98,000

Year 10

$128,000

Top Earners

$175,000

Promotion Path: Junior Engineer > Structural Engineer > Senior Engineer > Principal.

Thinking about college for this career?

Will this salary actually cover your expenses, loans, and lifestyle? Most people never calculate this — and it can cost them years.

Use our Financial Reality tool to see: • Real take-home income • Loan impact • Cost of living by city • Whether this path actually works financially

🔒 Unlock Financial Reality

Core Skills and Tools

These are the practical tools, systems, math, and AI skills used in Structural Engineer roles.

Core Skills

3D modeling

Drafting and surveying principles

Materials creation

Systems integration

Industry Knowledge

Aerospace standards and qualification

Building inspection certification

Earthquake engineering

Foreign service eligibility

Professional Engineer license

Security clearance

Structural design codes

Structural engineering

TS/SCI clearance

Math & Analysis

Structural analysis

Requirements

Bachelor's degree requirement

Degree field requirement

Master's degree requirement

Professional certification or license

Systems & Software

Bridge design software

CAD design tools (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks)

Mechanical engineering tools

Mechanical systems engineering leadership

Revit

About to graduate?

Are you ready for that first position?

Career Accelerator helps you build a portfolio of skills that validates you are ready for the hiring company. We even give you the bullet points you need to add to your resume.

🚀 Open Career Accelerator

Thinking about switching into Structural Engineer?

Answer a few skill questions and see your personalized skill gap, recommended projects, and a step-by-step plan to get closer to this role.

Build My Pivot Plan →

Other Potential Career Pivot Paths

Many professionals start in Structural Engineer roles and later move into higher-paying or more specialized careers by developing additional skills.

Bridge Engineer

Move between related career paths by building adjacent skills and experience.

Typical Salary: $100000-$145000

Skills Needed: structural analysis, CAD, code compliance, project coordination

Difficulty: 🟢 Easy

View Career →

Marine Architect

Move between related career paths by building adjacent skills and experience.

Typical Salary: $105k-$150k

Skills Needed: structural analysis, CAD, calculations, design coordination

Difficulty: 🟢 Easy

View Career →

How to Get Hired

This section focuses on practical readiness: what skills matter, what tools or certifications may help, and what you can do now to become more employable.

Unlock the Full Getting Hired Plan

See the exact skills, certifications, projects, and step-by-step plan to break into Structural Engineer.

Certifications that actually help
Real projects to build experience
A 30–60 day action plan

Unlock Full Getting Hired Plan

AI Impact & Task Breakdown

AI-Augmented

AI aids in generative design and structural optimization.

How to Stay Valuable

Develop judgment, communication, and problem-solving skills
Learn how AI tools can support this career instead of ignoring them
Move toward strategy, interpretation, and higher-value work over time

AI Scores

Automation Risk: 4.5/10 Human Value: 8.9/10 AI Leverage: 7.4/10

Based on 10 analyzed tasks

More likely automated

Review drawings and models
Prepare calculation packages and reports

Still requires human judgment

Inspect sites and existing structures
Collaborate with architects and contractors

How AI Affects This Job

This career includes a mix of tasks. Some are becoming more automated, while others are becoming more valuable because they require human expertise.