How much does a Structural Engineer make?

The average salary for a Structural Engineer is $109,514 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 5416 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Structural Engineer employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Structural Engineer in United States is $134,192 per year.

The lowest salary for a Structural Engineer in United States is $90,087 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Structural Engineer or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Structural Engineer.

Structural engineering salaries are high, reflecting the field’s significant barriers to entry. A bachelor’s in engineering degree is considered a minimum qualification, although many firms strongly prefer candidates with internship experience. Once hired, structural engineers typically work full time and are paid a salary with full benefits. Candidates with a Master of Engineering degree are typically paid higher salaries than candidates with only a bachelor’s degree. Successful engineers can earn a Professional Engineering (PE) license that indicates they are ready for more leadership responsibility, or they may choose to transition into a project manager role.

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Around 74% of structural engineers on Glassdoor feel they make good money. Acquiring years of experience or a desirable specialty can make you more likely to earn a high salary as a structural engineer. An average $13,537.36 in profit sharing and bonuses can also boost your earnings.

The average structural engineer salary is around $95,955.56, but you can expect roughly $109,492.92 when you include typical bonuses and profit-sharing payments. However, you could earn between $75,648.64 and $160,582.83, depending on your level of experience, and senior or lead engineers could receive significantly more. Learn how your seniority affects your earning potential by researching structural engineer career paths.

While you don't necessarily need a graduate degree to succeed as a structural engineer, earning a master's can help you progress faster towards higher-paid roles. An MS in Structural Engineering or Civil Engineering can make you more attractive to employers and demonstrates your advanced knowledge.

Carefully choosing your specialty can also improve your earning potential. Certain structural engineer specialties tend to pay more than others, including structural analysis, stress analysis, and forensic engineering. As more and more companies become interested in sustainable building practices, it could also be worth completing the Leader in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

Received your dream structural engineer job offer but disappointed with the compensation package? The first step toward successful negotiations is to find out what other structural engineers earn at your seniority level. Knowing what you're worth can reassure you that your salary request is fair. Don't forget to point out any in-demand skills that could add value, such as project management, conducting inspections, and building codes knowledge.

If you want to negotiate a higher salary with your current employer, providing concrete examples of your achievements and how they benefited the company can be persuasive. You could also suggest an enhanced benefits package if your proposed raise doesn't meet your standards.

About 73.97% of Structural Engineer professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional $13,537 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of a Structural Engineer in United States as a good salary.

Structural Engineer professionals in United States have a wide total pay range, between $75,649 and $160,583 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of $109,493 following the average career path of a Structural Engineer.