Also called: Licensed Structural Engineer, Engineer of Record
Senior licensed engineer who signs off that skyscrapers, stadiums and hospitals will stand up to wind, weight and earthquakes.
You review the steel frame for a 40-story tower, checking how it sways in a hurricane-force wind. You meet the architect who wants a giant column-free lobby and figure out a way to make it work. Your stamp on the drawings means you're legally responsible if it fails.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 5 years after high school. Bachelor's or master's in civil/structural engineering, PE then SE license, plus 10+ years of experience.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, On-the-job training. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). Tracks civil engineers.
Low risk for 10 years. AI speeds analysis and drawing checks; licensed SE sign-off, legal liability and judgment on unusual buildings keep this job human.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, Drafting or architecture CTE, Speech or debate.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2051.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.