9 of the Best Types of Structural Engineer Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Structural Engineer jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Structural Engineer Jobs

• Senior Structural Engineer

  Salary range: $100,500 - $136,500

  Senior Structural Engineer is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Senior Structural Engineer jobs pay between $100,500 (25th percentile) and $136,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Structural Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Entry Level Structural Engineer

  Salary range: $80,000 - $113,000

  You need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a similar field to become an entry-level structural engineer. Employers prefer candidates with internship experience, and you may need to have already passed the Fundamentals of Engineering examination or plan to in the near future. You need proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, and other related software. You must be comfortable performing field work that includes working at great heights and in confined areas. Additional qualifications include knowledge of precision instruments, building codes, and construction materials used in various buildings, analytical thinking abilities, and excellent communication skills.

• Structural Engineer Internship

  Salary range: $80,000 - $113,000

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.

• Freelance Structural Engineer

  Salary range: $80,000 - $113,000

  Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.

• Structural Engineer Manager

  Salary range: $80,000 - $113,000

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• On Call Structural Engineer

  Salary range: $80,000 - $113,000

  When most people think of on-call jobs, medical professionals and first responders typically come to mind. For first responders, like firefighters and EMTs, on-call usually means you are sleeping at the station, ready to wake up and respond to a call quickly. Medical workers, on the other hand, may work a more traditional on-call schedule. While some nurses and doctors may sleep at the hospital, especially during their residency, you may also have an on-call shift where you can leave and go home, potentially never actually coming back. If you want a career as a nurse or doctor but do not like this unpredictability, rest assured that the chance of having on-call shifts decreases as you gain seniority and advanced qualifications. Repair workers like electricians may also work on-call. You may occasionally find on-call jobs in retail or customer service sectors, but this is not as common.

• Full Time Structural Engineer

  Salary range: $80,000 - $113,000

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Temporary Structural Engineer

  Salary range: $80,000 - $113,000

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• Junior Structural Engineer

  Salary range: $48,500 - $80,000

  Junior Structural Engineer is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Junior Structural Engineer jobs pay between $48,500 (25th percentile) and $80,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Structural Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.