6 templates for engineering firms, with the PE, EIT, and SE licensing guidance generic templates skip, plus a small-firm version. Download as DOCX.
A structural engineer is a specialized, licensed (or licensing) professional, which makes the job description harder to write than most. Get the licensure level wrong and you either scare off good candidates with a PE requirement a junior role does not need, or you hire an EIT for work that legally requires a stamp. Most templates online are written for large national firms and skip the licensing question entirely. This page does the opposite: it puts PE, EIT, and SE licensure at the center, with templates by level and a small-firm version built for boutique and regional practices.
At FirstHR, we build for the smaller firms making this hire without a dedicated HR function, where a principal or owner writes the posting. The six templates below cover the generalist structural engineer, a small-firm version, an entry-level EIT, a licensed PE / Engineer of Record, a civil/structural combo role, and a senior engineer. Each is ready to use. Fill in the brackets and post, and the guide to writing a job description covers the fundamentals behind any posting.
TL;DR
Six structural engineer job description templates: Generalist, Small-Firm, Entry-Level/EIT, Licensed PE / Engineer of Record, Civil/Structural, and Senior. The role is exempt under the learned professional exemption. The most important decision is licensure level: an EIT designs under a PE, while only a licensed PE can stamp drawings. Closest pay anchor: about $99,590/year (BLS, civil engineers, May 2024). Download as DOCX.
What Is a Structural Engineer?
A structural engineer designs and analyzes load-bearing structures, buildings, bridges, and other systems, so they safely carry loads and meet building codes. The core work is structural analysis and design, producing calculations and construction drawings, applying standards such as the IBC, ASCE 7, ACI, and AISC, modeling in structural software, coordinating with architects and other disciplines, and supporting construction. Structural engineering is a specialty within civil engineering, and how independently an engineer works depends on whether they are licensed.
Because the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not break out structural engineers separately, the closest federal occupation is civil engineers (SOC 17-2051), with related detail in the O*NET profile. For the employer writing the posting, the defining decision is licensure level, since it determines whether the engineer can stamp drawings or must work under a PE, and the six templates split on exactly that axis.
Structural Engineer Duties and Responsibilities
Structural engineer duties cluster into four areas: analysis and design, software and modeling, coordination and construction administration, and quality and licensure. A strong job description picks the specific responsibilities from each area that match your projects rather than listing every possible task. These are the duties grouped the way the templates use them.
Analysis and design
Perform structural analysis and design
Produce calculations, models, and drawings
Apply codes (IBC, ASCE 7, ACI, AISC)
Software and modeling
Build models in structural software
Use BIM and CAD (Revit, AutoCAD)
Keep documentation and models organized
Coordination and CA
Coordinate with architects and disciplines
Handle RFIs, submittals, and site visits
Resolve field issues during construction
Quality and licensure
Work under responsible charge of a PE
Check work and mentor junior staff
Build toward EIT and PE licensure
The weighting shifts by level: an EIT supports design under supervision, while a licensed PE takes responsible charge and serves as Engineer of Record. For a structured way to scope the role to your firm, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by licensure level and firm type. The core structure is the same across all six, but each emphasizes the responsibilities, requirements, and licensure that fit a specific kind of structural role. Use this guide to choose the closest fit, then adjust.
Structural Engineer (Generalist)
The core version
Analysis, design, calculations, and drawings under a licensed PE. For a firm hiring a mid-level structural engineer across its project mix.
Small-Firm / Boutique
Boutique or regional firm
A hands-on, broad-ownership version for a small firm: end-to-end projects, direct work with the principal, and a clear path to licensure.
Entry-Level / EIT
First engineering job
For a graduate engineer with the FE passed or in progress, working under PE supervision and building toward licensure.
Licensed PE / Engineer of Record
Stamping authority
For a licensed PE who takes responsible charge, stamps and seals drawings, and serves as Engineer of Record on projects.
Civil / Structural (Combo)
Multidisciplinary firms
A blended civil-and-structural role common at smaller multidisciplinary firms: structural design plus site, grading, or infrastructure work.
Senior Structural Engineer
Technical leadership
For an experienced licensed PE who leads complex design, owns major projects, mentors the team, and sets technical direction.
Match the Template to the Role
A mid-level engineer across your project mix: Generalist. A boutique or regional firm wanting broad ownership: Small-Firm. A new graduate with the FE passed or in progress: Entry-Level / EIT. A licensed engineer who stamps drawings: Licensed PE / Engineer of Record. A blended role at a multidisciplinary firm: Civil / Structural. An experienced technical leader: Senior. The deciding question across all of them is whether the role legally requires a PE stamp or can be filled by an EIT under a PE.
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: firm and job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications with the licensure level stated, the FLSA classification, compensation, and how to apply, with an EEO statement. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
Generalist, small-firm, entry-level EIT, licensed PE, civil/structural, and senior. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: Structural Engineer (Generalist)
The core version: analysis, design, calculations, and drawings under a licensed PE. For a firm hiring a mid-level structural engineer across its project mix.
Structural Engineer Job Description (Generalist)
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State] / Hybrid)
Reports to: __ (Principal / Engineering Manager)
Employment type: Full-time, W-2 employee
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional exemption)
Compensation: $_____ base [+ bonus]
ABOUT [FIRM NAME]
[One or two sentences about your firm, the kinds of projects you design
(buildings, bridges, industrial, residential), and the team this engineer
will join.]
JOB SUMMARY
[Firm Name] is hiring a Structural Engineer to design and analyze structures
that are safe, code-compliant, and buildable. You will perform structural
analysis and design, produce calculations and drawings, coordinate with
architects and other disciplines, and support projects from concept through
construction. Work is performed under the responsible charge of a licensed PE.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Perform structural analysis and design for [buildings / bridges / industrial]
•Produce design calculations, models, and construction drawings
•Apply building codes and standards (IBC, ASCE 7, ACI, AISC, etc.)
A hands-on, broad-ownership version for a boutique or regional firm: end-to-end projects, direct work with the principal, and a clear path to licensure.
For a graduate engineer with the FE passed or in progress, designing under PE supervision and building toward licensure. Fundamentals over years of experience.
Entry-Level / EIT Structural Engineer Job Description
ENTRY-LEVEL / EIT STRUCTURAL ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: __ (PE / Senior Engineer)
Employment type: Full-time, W-2 employee
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional exemption)
Compensation: $_____ base
JOB SUMMARY
[Firm Name] is hiring an Entry-Level Structural Engineer (EIT) to grow into
the role under the supervision of a licensed PE. You will support structural
analysis and design, learn our software and standards, and build toward your
PE license. We value strong fundamentals, the FE exam passed or in progress,
and a willingness to learn.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Support structural analysis and design under PE supervision
•Produce calculations, models, and drawings with guidance
•Learn and apply building codes (IBC, ASCE 7, ACI, AISC)
•Apply feedback and grow toward independent design
•Work toward EIT and then PE licensure
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering (ABET-accredited preferred)
•FE exam passed or scheduled; EIT / EI designation a plus
•Strong engineering fundamentals and analytical skills
•Familiarity with structural or CAD software
•Detail-oriented, organized, and eager to learn
WHAT WE OFFER
•Mentorship from licensed PEs and a path to your own license
•Exposure to [project types] from analysis through construction
•Support for the FE/PE process and continuing education
•Compensation: $____________ base [+ benefits]
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, email __ with your resume and a short note.
[Firm Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 4: Licensed PE / Engineer of Record
For a licensed PE who takes responsible charge, stamps and seals drawings, and serves as Engineer of Record on projects, with SE where the work requires it.
Licensed PE / Engineer of Record Structural Engineer Job Description
LICENSED PE / ENGINEER OF RECORD STRUCTURAL ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State] / Hybrid)
Reports to: __ (Principal / Director of Engineering)
Employment type: Full-time, W-2 employee
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional exemption)
Compensation: $_____ base [+ bonus]
JOB SUMMARY
[Firm Name] is hiring a Licensed Structural Engineer (PE) to take responsible
charge of structural design and serve as Engineer of Record on our projects.
You will own design decisions, stamp and seal drawings within your licensure,
mentor junior staff, and represent the firm to clients and reviewers.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Take responsible charge of structural design on assigned projects
•Stamp and seal drawings as Engineer of Record within your licensure
For an experienced licensed PE who leads complex design, owns major projects, mentors the team, and sets technical direction, with an SE license strongly preferred.
Senior Structural Engineer Job Description
SENIOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State] / Hybrid)
Reports to: __ (Principal / Director of Engineering)
Employment type: Full-time, W-2 employee
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional exemption)
Compensation: $_____ base [+ bonus]
JOB SUMMARY
[Firm Name] is hiring a Senior Structural Engineer to lead complex design,
own major projects, and guide the technical direction of the team. You will
take responsible charge as a licensed PE, lead analysis and design decisions,
mentor engineers, and serve as a senior technical and client-facing leader.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Lead structural design on complex and high-value projects
•Take responsible charge and serve as Engineer of Record
•Set technical approach, standards, and quality on projects
•Lead analysis, modeling, and code compliance decisions
•Review and check the work of the engineering team
•Mentor and develop engineers toward licensure
•Manage clients, reviewers, and project delivery
•Support business development and proposals
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering (master's a plus)
•Active PE license [state]; SE license strongly preferred
•[8+] years of structural design experience
•Proven leadership of projects and engineers
•Deep command of structural software, codes, and detailing
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (NOT REQUIRED)
•SE license, or PE in multiple states (NCEES Record)
•Experience leading teams or a practice area
•Sector depth in [your project type]
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ base [+ bonus / benefits]
To apply, email __ with your resume and representative projects.
[Firm Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
PE, EIT, and SE: The Licensing Most Templates Skip
Licensure is the heart of a structural engineer job description, and it is exactly what generic templates leave vague. The path runs from an ABET degree and the FE exam, to the EIT designation, to the PE license, with the SE license as a separate advanced credential for certain structures. Here is what each stage means for your posting.
ABET degree then the FE exam: the entry point
Licensure starts with education and the first exam. Most state boards require an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited program, and the path begins with the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, administered by NCEES. Passing the FE, plus meeting state requirements, earns the Engineer Intern (EI) or Engineer in Training (EIT) designation. A new graduate you hire is typically an EIT or working toward it, and they design under the responsible charge of a licensed PE rather than signing off on their own work. State your degree and FE expectations in the posting, since an entry-level structural role almost always lists the FE as passed or in progress. This is general information, not legal advice.
EIT to PE: typically four years under a licensed PE
The PE license is the milestone that changes what an engineer can do. After the FE, the standard path is roughly four years of qualifying engineering experience under the supervision of a licensed PE, then passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam in the relevant discipline. Specifics vary by state, since each board sets its own experience and exam rules, but the four-year benchmark is common. A licensed PE can take responsible charge of design and, critically, stamp and seal drawings. When you write a posting, decide whether the role needs a licensed PE or an engineer on the path to one, because that single distinction shapes the title, the pay, and the candidate pool. This is general information, not legal advice.
The SE license: a separate, advanced credential
For certain structures, a PE is not the end of the ladder. The Structural Engineer (SE) license is a separate, more advanced credential built on the NCEES PE Structural exam, which tests vertical and lateral design across two components. Not every jurisdiction recognizes the SE as a distinct license, but several states require SE licensure (beyond a PE) to design specific structures such as significant buildings or those in high-seismic regions. If your projects fall under an SE requirement in your state, say so in the posting and list the SE license accordingly. For most general structural work a PE is sufficient, with the SE as a strong preferred. This is general information, not legal advice.
NCEES Record and reciprocity across states
Licensure is granted state by state, which matters for multi-state firms. An engineer licensed in one state is not automatically licensed in another; they must obtain licensure (often called comity or reciprocity) from each additional state board. The NCEES Record streamlines this by storing an engineer's education, exam results, and verified experience so it can be transmitted to additional boards. If your work crosses state lines, or you need drawings stamped in multiple states, prioritize candidates who hold or can readily obtain licensure where you practice, and consider the NCEES Record a useful signal. This is general information, not legal advice.
The Path: ABET Degree, FE, EIT, PE, then SE
Licensure runs from an ABET-accredited degree and the FE exam (earning the EIT), through roughly four years under a licensed PE, to the PE exam. Only a licensed PE can stamp and seal drawings as Engineer of Record. The SE license, built on the NCEES PE Structural exam, is a separate, more advanced credential that several states require to design specific structures. Requirements are set state by state.
The practical takeaway for hiring: decide the licensure level before you write the posting. If the role must stamp drawings, you need a PE (and an SE where your state requires it for the structure). If not, an EIT under a licensed PE is a capable, more affordable hire with a growth path. Name the level explicitly so candidates self-select.
Requirements and Qualifications
Structural engineer requirements build from the degree and licensure outward to software, codes, and experience. Scale them to the level you are hiring, and keep certifications and licenses matched to what the role actually needs.
Requirement
What to look for
Education
Bachelor's in civil or structural engineering, ABET-accredited preferred
Licensure
EIT for junior roles; active PE for responsible charge; SE where required
Experience
Scaled to level: entry, mid (2-5 yrs), licensed PE (4+ post-license), senior (8+)
Software
Structural analysis (RISA, RAM, ETABS) plus BIM/CAD (Revit, AutoCAD)
Codes
Working knowledge of IBC, ASCE 7, ACI, AISC, and relevant standards
Classification
Exempt, salaried (learned professional exemption)
Keep the posting neutral and inclusive, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic, and the SHRM guide covers the standard sections of a job description.
FLSA: Are Structural Engineers Exempt or Non-Exempt?
A structural engineer is almost always exempt, and the reason is straightforward, but it is worth getting right. The classification turns on the learned professional exemption, and only a narrow edge case changes the answer.
Exempt as a Learned Professional
Engineering is treated as a field of science or learning requiring advanced knowledge from a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction, which is exactly an engineering degree. An engineer whose primary duty is design and analysis, paid on a salary basis above the federal threshold, is an exempt learned professional, salaried, and not owed overtime. Review DOL Fact Sheet 17D on the professional exemption. The narrow exception is a technician or drafting role filled by someone without a relevant degree doing routine work, which can be non-exempt, but that is not the structural engineer role itself. This is general information, not legal advice.
For the underlying rules, the exempt versus non-exempt guide and the Fair Labor Standards Act overview explain the tests in plain terms. Classify by the actual duties and education, and confirm with an employment advisor when a role sits near the line.
Structural Engineer Pay
Structural engineer pay varies by experience, licensure, region, and firm. Anchor your range to the closest federal occupation, then adjust for the licensure level you need and your local market.
Median $99,590 a Year (BLS, Civil Engineers)
Because the BLS does not break out structural engineers, the closest occupation, civil engineers, had a median annual wage of $99,590 in May 2024, with the lowest 10 percent under $65,920 and the highest 10 percent over $160,990. The occupation is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average, with about 23,600 openings a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). National compensation surveys for the structural engineer title specifically report an average near $99,400.
Licensure is the biggest single lever on pay: industry survey data shows a PE license can add tens of thousands of dollars a year over an unlicensed engineer, and an SE adds more. Pay also runs higher in major metros and high-cost states. As an exempt salaried role, the figure is an annual salary rather than an hourly wage with overtime. Set your range using current market data for your region and the licensure level you need.
Hiring a Structural Engineer for a Small Firm
A large engineering firm hires structural engineers into narrow roles inside a department with layers of review. A boutique or regional firm of 5 to 20 people makes this hire directly, and faces three things the big-firm templates ignore: the role is broader, the licensure level is the real decision, and each rare hire is high-value. Here is how to handle all three.
Big-firm templates describe a narrow specialist; your role is broader
Most structural engineer job descriptions online were written for large engineering firms with departments, narrow roles, and layers of review. A boutique or regional firm of 5 to 20 people hires differently: one engineer owns projects end to end, talks to clients, coordinates with the architect, runs construction administration, and grows toward their own license, all in the same week. A posting copied from a national firm describes a specialist the candidate will not recognize and a role that will not match your reality. The Small-Firm template above is written for that breadth, with project ownership and a clear licensure path stated as features, so you attract someone who actually wants a hands-on role at a small practice.
Licensure is the real hiring decision, and the templates leave it vague
The single most consequential thing a structural posting must get right is the licensure level, and generic templates skip it. Decide before you write: do you need a licensed PE who can take responsible charge and stamp drawings as Engineer of Record, or an EIT on the path to licensure who designs under a PE's supervision? That choice drives the title, the pay, and the entire candidate pool. A small firm that needs a stamp cannot hire an EIT for it, and a firm that lists a PE requirement for what is really a junior role shrinks its pool for no reason. The six templates split exactly on this axis, EIT, generalist, licensed PE, senior, so the posting names the licensure level honestly instead of burying it.
The hire is rare and high-value, so the people side has to be tight
A small structural firm may hire one or two engineers a year, which makes each hire high-stakes and the onboarding worth doing well even without an HR department. Because the role is a licensed (or licensing) professional with access to client projects and proprietary calculations, the people side runs on a signed offer with the correct exempt classification, confidentiality and IP agreements, verification of the PE or EIT credential and ABET degree, software and project-system access, and tracking of license renewal and continuing-education deadlines so a stamp never lapses. FirstHR fits this for a small firm: e-signature for the offer and confidentiality agreements, document management for credential copies and license-renewal tracking, task workflows for software and project onboarding, and training assignments for firm standards and QA processes. To be clear about scope, FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not an engineering or project tool, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so pair it with those providers. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same document becomes the basis for the offer and onboarding, and for a structural engineer two things matter more than usual: verifying the credential and tracking the license. This person works on client projects and, if licensed, may stamp drawings, so credential verification and renewal tracking are part of getting started.
Send the offer
Confirm the role, base, start date, and exempt classification in writing. An offer letter template makes this fast for a salaried professional role.
Verify credentials
Confirm the PE or EIT designation and the ABET degree, and record license numbers and states for projects that need a stamp.
Provision software and access
Scope access to structural software, BIM/CAD, and project systems, with confidentiality and IP agreements signed first.
Track renewals and records
Store signed agreements and credential copies, and track license renewal and continuing-education deadlines so a stamp never lapses.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step, and an onboarding template gives the new hire a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer, paperwork, e-signatures, confidentiality agreements, and the onboarding workflow in one place so a small firm can manage the full process, including credential verification and license-renewal tracking, from one system. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not an engineering or project tool, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
A structural engineer designs and analyzes load-bearing structures; the role spans analysis, software, coordination, and quality, within civil engineering.
The most important decision is licensure level: an EIT designs under a PE, while only a licensed PE can take responsible charge and stamp drawings.
The path runs from an ABET degree and the FE exam, to EIT, to roughly four years under a PE, to the PE exam, with the SE license as a separate advanced credential.
The role is exempt under the learned professional exemption; only a non-degreed technician or drafting role can be non-exempt.
The closest pay anchor, civil engineers, had a median of about $99,590 a year in May 2024, and a PE license adds significantly to it.
Onboarding handles credentials and compliance: verify the PE or EIT and ABET degree, and track license renewal and continuing-education deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a structural engineer do?
A structural engineer designs and analyzes structures so they are safe, code-compliant, and buildable: buildings, bridges, towers, and other load-bearing systems. Day to day, that means performing structural analysis and design, producing calculations and construction drawings, applying building codes and standards such as the IBC, ASCE 7, ACI, and AISC, using structural software like RISA, RAM, ETABS, or SAP2000 along with BIM and CAD tools, coordinating with architects and other disciplines, and supporting construction administration through RFIs, submittals, and site visits. Structural engineering is a specialty within civil engineering, and the federal occupational frame is civil engineers. The level of independence depends on licensure: an unlicensed engineer designs under the responsible charge of a licensed PE, while a licensed PE can take responsible charge and stamp and seal drawings as Engineer of Record.
Does a structural engineer need a PE license?
It depends on the role. To take responsible charge of design and to stamp and seal drawings as the Engineer of Record, an engineer must hold a Professional Engineer (PE) license in the state where the work is performed. However, firms employ many unlicensed engineers, EITs and engineers in training, who perform analysis and design under the supervision and responsible charge of a licensed PE. So a job description should state the licensure level deliberately: a senior or Engineer-of-Record role requires an active PE, while a mid-level or entry-level role can be filled by an EIT on the path to licensure. The path itself runs from an ABET-accredited degree, to passing the FE exam and earning the EIT designation, to roughly four years of qualifying experience under a PE, to passing the PE exam. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the difference between EIT, PE, and SE?
They are three stages and tiers of structural engineering credentials. EIT (Engineer in Training), sometimes called EI (Engineer Intern), is earned by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam after an engineering degree; an EIT works under a licensed PE's supervision. PE (Professional Engineer) is the core license, earned after roughly four years of qualifying experience under a PE and passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam; a PE can take responsible charge and stamp and seal drawings. SE (Structural Engineer) is a separate, more advanced license built on the NCEES PE Structural exam, which tests vertical and lateral design; not every state recognizes it as a distinct license, but several require SE licensure beyond a PE to design specific structures, such as significant buildings or those in high-seismic areas. For a job description, name the level your work actually requires. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do you need an ABET-accredited degree to become a structural engineer?
In most cases, yes, for licensure. Most state engineering boards require a degree from a program accredited by ABET (the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) as part of the path to a PE license, alongside passing the FE and PE exams and meeting the experience requirement. Some states accept non-ABET or foreign degrees with additional review, often through an NCEES credential evaluation, but the ABET-accredited bachelor's in civil or structural engineering is the clean, standard route. For a job description, listing an ABET-accredited degree as preferred or required is reasonable, especially if the role is on a licensure track, since a non-accredited degree can complicate or delay the candidate's path to a PE. State your degree expectation clearly so candidates self-select. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is a structural engineer exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
A structural engineer is almost always exempt, under the learned professional exemption. The Fair Labor Standards Act regulations treat engineering as a field of science or learning requiring advanced knowledge customarily acquired through a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction, which is exactly an engineering degree. An engineer whose primary duty is design and analysis, paid on a salary basis above the federal threshold, is generally an exempt learned professional, salaried, and not entitled to overtime. This is the standard classification for the role. The narrow exception is a technician or drafting role filled by someone without a relevant engineering degree, performing routine work rather than professional design, which can be non-exempt; but that is not the structural engineer role itself. Classify by the actual duties and education, and confirm with an advisor when a role sits near the line. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does a structural engineer make?
Pay varies by experience, licensure, region, and firm. Because the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not break out structural engineers separately, the closest federal occupation is civil engineers, which had a median annual wage of about 99,590 dollars in May 2024, with the lowest 10 percent under 65,920 dollars and the highest 10 percent over 160,990 dollars. National compensation surveys that track the structural engineer title specifically report an average near 99,400 dollars a year, with most salaries between roughly 80,000 and 113,000 dollars. Licensure is the biggest single lever: industry survey data shows a PE license can add tens of thousands of dollars a year compared with an unlicensed engineer. Pay also runs higher in major metros and high-cost states. As an exempt salaried role, the figure is an annual salary rather than an hourly wage with overtime. Set your range using current market data for your region and the licensure level you need.
What is the difference between a civil engineer and a structural engineer in a job description?
Structural engineering is a specialty within civil engineering, so the two overlap and a job description should be specific about which you mean. A civil engineer works broadly across infrastructure: roads, water systems, site development, transportation, and structures. A structural engineer focuses specifically on the design and analysis of load-bearing systems, buildings, bridges, and other structures, ensuring they safely carry loads and meet codes such as ASCE 7 and AISC. At small multidisciplinary firms the roles blur, and a combined civil/structural engineer handles both, which is why this page includes a civil/structural combo template. When you write the posting, decide whether you need broad civil capability, focused structural depth, or a blend, and title the role accordingly, since candidates search and filter on this distinction and a mismatched title attracts the wrong applicants.
What should a structural engineer job description include?
A strong structural engineer job description names the firm and project types up front, includes a job summary that frames the design and analysis focus, and groups responsibilities into analysis and design, software and modeling, coordination and construction administration, and quality and licensure. It should state the software you use (RISA, RAM, ETABS, Revit, AutoCAD), the codes and standards relevant to your work, and, most importantly, the licensure level the role requires, whether EIT, PE, or SE, since that is the decision generic templates skip and the one that most shapes the candidate pool. List the ABET-accredited degree expectation, state the FLSA exempt classification, and give an honest salary range, since a growing number of states require one. Close with an equal opportunity statement and clear application instructions. This is general information, not legal advice.
