Construction Magazine GineersNow - Civil Engineers vs Architects - The Battle of the Builders

E D I T O R ‘ S N O T E
There are two types of
builders in the world of
construction: those who
design the buildings,
and those who construct them.
The former are called architects,
the latter civil engineers. Both
groups are essential to the
building process, but there is a
big difference between the two.
Differences
The Battle of the Builders:
Architects vs Civil Engineers
Architecture is primarily
concerned with the aesthetics
of a structure, while civil
engineering focuses on the
function and stability of a
structure. Architects must
have a creative eye and an
understanding of how to design
a space that is both functional
and aesthetically pleasing. Civil
engineers, on the other hand,
must have strong technical skills
and be able to calculate things
like load-bearing capacity and
stress points.
While both architects and
civil engineers are essential
to the building process, their
different skill sets make them
complementary rather than
interchangeable.
Education requirements
There are many different types
of engineers, but the two main
groups are architects and civil
engineers. Architects typically
have a five-year degree in
architecture, while civil engineers
usually have a five-year degree
in engineering. Both require
a licensure examination to
become professional architects
and civil engineers.
Day-to-day
responsibilities
The day-to-day responsibilities
of an architect vs a civil
engineer can vary greatly. An
architect may be responsible
for the design of a building,
while a civil engineer may
be responsible for the
construction of that same
building. An architect may also
be responsible for ensuring
that a building meets all
safety and code requirements,
while a civil engineer may be
responsible for ensuring that
the building is structurally
sound.
Skills required
When it comes to the skills
required for each profession,
there are some key differences
between architects and
civil engineers. For starters,
architects need to be
creative and have a strong
understanding of aesthetics.
They also need to be good
at problem-solving and
have strong communication
skills. On the other hand,
civil engineers need to have
a strong understanding of
math and science. They also
need to be good at project
management and have strong
analytical skills.
Job outlook
When it comes to the job
outlook for each profession,
there is a clear winner:
architecture. The Bureau of
Labor Statistics projects that
employment of architects
will grow by 3% from 2018 to
2028, while employment of
civil engineers is projected
to grow by 7% over the same
period.
Salary
When it comes to the salaries
of architecture and civil
engineering, there is a clear
difference. Civil engineers’
salaries are typically much
higher than architects’ salaries.
According to Bureau of Labor
and Employment, the 2021
median pay of a civil engineer
is $88,050 per year, and the
hourly rate is $42.33 per hour.
While the 2021 median pay
of an architect is $80,180 per
year, and the hourly rate is
$38.55 per hour.