How To Become A Structural Engineer – Forbes Advisor – Technologist

Structural engineering is all about safety for people and structures. Professionals in this civil engineering subfield ensure the integrity of various structures, from skyscrapers to bridges.

They apply the principles of physics and mathematics to create structures that can withstand environmental stresses like wind, earthquakes and floods.

If you’re interested in this career path, our comprehensive guide details the educational requirements, necessary certifications and job outlook for structural engineers. Whether you’re a student exploring jobs or a professional seeking to pivot to this specialized field, this article highlights the relevant steps on how to become a structural engineer.

What Is a Structural Engineer?

Structural engineers are specialized civil engineers who design, analyze and review material structures such as buildings, bridges and dams to ensure their strength and safety.

The role of structural engineers is mostly preventative: They determine how forces like gravity, earthquakes and wind may impact a structure, then adjust the structure’s blueprint to prevent its deformation or collapse.

Day-to-Day Tasks of a Structural Engineer

The daily responsibilities of structural engineers include:

• Analyzing soil samples and construction materials to ensure they can provide long-term support to a structure
• Calculating the potential impact of weather conditions and other forces on a structure
• Overseeing the safe demolition of existing structures
• Utilizing computer-aided design to simulate structural performance
• Identifying and solving engineering problems that arise during design and construction
• Collaborating with architects, construction managers and other engineers to align structural design with other aspects of the project, including cost, functionality and aesthetics

Typical Work Environment and Challenges

Structural engineers typically perform most of their duties at construction sites and in offices. At building sites, these professionals gather first-hand information about the prospective environment of a structure and the project’s potential uses.

Structural engineers also work indoors in office settings. Most engineers work full time. Senior engineers directing projects may work extra hours, including nights and weekends, to meet design requirements and deadlines. To avoid frequent commuting between offices and construction sites, structural engineers may work in temporary offices at building sites.

How To Become a Structural Engineer

Earn a Civil Engineering Degree

Structural engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or architectural engineering. A bachelor’s in civil engineering with a structural engineering specialization teaches students design principles and a holistic approach to structural systems engineering.

Civil engineering programs generally combine classroom instruction with lab work. Coursework may include classes about engineering mechanics, construction management, structural analysis and construction systems.

Earning an engineering bachelor’s degree takes about four years of full-time study. Make sure you attend an accredited institution to verify that the school meets standards of academic excellence. Many engineering programs hold programmatic accreditation from ABET, an engineering and technology-specific accrediting agency.

While not every structural engineer requires licensure, states usually require these workers to obtain a professional engineer (PE) license before they provide services to the public. States may require licensed engineers to earn their degrees from ABET-accredited programs, so research the stipulations for your state before choosing an engineering program.

Become an Engineer Intern

To become an engineer intern—also called an engineer-in-training—you must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. The FE exam is the first of two tests engineers must pass to obtain PE licensure. NCEES administers these exams. Typically, people take this exam in their last year of college or after they graduate from their bachelor’s program.

Once engineer interns pass the FE exam, they must accrue four years of work experience before they can take the second exam and qualify for licensure. A licensed engineer must supervise this professional experience.

Obtain Licensure

After four years on the job, engineers-in-training must pass the civil engineering-specific Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. In some states, passing the PE exam is the final step to earning a license. Other jurisdictions maintain additional licensing stipulations, so investigate these requirements.

Several states also offer structural engineer licenses. This specialized credential qualifies professionals to work on certain public structures, such as hospitals and schools. Qualification criteria vary by jurisdiction, but typically include passing the NCEES structural engineering exam and gaining multiple years of work experience post-PE licensure.

Maintain Licensure

Each state maintains its own PE licensure renewal requirements. In many jurisdictions, engineers must renew their licenses every two or three years. Most states require PEs to complete a specific number of professional development hours to renew their credentials.

Structural Engineer Salary and Job Outlook

According to August 2024 Glassdoor data, the median annual wage for structural engineers is $117,000. BLS data for the broader civil engineer career category shows that these professionals earned a median wage of $95,980 in 2023, with the top 10% of salaries exceeding $150,640.

Earning potential varies based on factors like experience level, industry and location: For example, BLS data reveals California, New York, Alaska, Louisiana and Massachusetts paid the highest average wages for civil engineers in 2023. The BLS also projects 6% growth for civil engineer roles from 2022 to 2032.

Certifications for Structural Engineers

• American Concrete Institute (ACI) Certifications: ACI offers over 30 certifications for civil engineers specializing in concrete design, construction and inspection to verify professionals’ expertise in concrete technology. The organization’s certifications typically require an engineering degree, significant work experience and a passing grade on the certifying exams.
•  Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM®): The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) issues the CFM credential. It validates the holder’s understanding of flood risks and floodplain regulations. Qualifying for this certification requires two years of full-time flood management experience, a bachelor’s degree in a related engineering field or completion of the National Flood Insurance Program’s floodplain development management course. The application fee costs $565 for nonmembers, while ASFPM members pay $185.
• Project Management Professional (PMP)®: The PMP certification, while not specific to structural or civil engineering, demonstrates project management skills, which are crucial for coordinating engineering projects. To earn this credential, candidates with a bachelor’s degree need three years of project leader experience, 35 hours of relevant project management training and a passing PMP exam score. Members of the Project Management Institute pay $425 to register for the exam, while nonmembers pay $675.

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