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If you are tossing between engineering or architecture, you are more likely trying to choose between civil engineering (mainly structural engineering) and architecture. You have a passion for construction and building and just do not know what best aligns with your skills and interests. This post will give you everything you need to know about civil engineering and architecture and which field is the best for you.
In general, students who enjoy math and applied physics make good engineers, while students with a wide imagination and artistic sense make good architects. Architecture and engineering are both parts of the construction industry. Architects lean more toward design and aesthetics, while engineers are more into design safety, feasibility, and execution. We can not eliminate any of their expertise in developing new structures.
The following should give you more insights into what it means to be an engineer or an architect. This can shed light on common challenges and differences between those professional careers that can help you to make a choice.
3 Key differences between Civil Engineers & Architects to Make a Choice
1- Engineering is a problem-solving job, while Architecture is an art job
Engineering require applied physics, and it involves problem-solving. Architects require imagination and artistic vision. Architects make plans, and engineers try to make those plans a reality.
Without architects, no plans will be proposed, and without engineers, no proof of concept can be achieved. Engineers solve the problems architects create, yet nothing will be made without the architect’s vision.
2- Engineers focus on the structural integrity while Architects focus on design shape
Safety is a big part of the engineer’s job. This means carefully designing every structure element to ensure no fault in the design. The architects focus on fulfilling the client’s expectations by using the engineers to fulfil their vision.
The final goal is to ensure that the design proposed by the architect can be done on the budget proposed by the client. Engineers confirm if the architect’s vision can be done within the budget.
3- Architects are involved in planning while engineers are involved in the execution
Architects bring the engineer true potential. Without architects, no blueprints of tall buildings would be made; without engineers, those buildings would not stand.
Architects plan the details while engineers execute them and make them a reality. Things will not be possible without both parties’ collaboration. Yet the main difference is that architects are engaged early on the project, which is preliminary plans and details, while engineers are engaged in the execution phase by solving the problems created by the architect to achieve the final product.
Engineers vs Architects: The ultimate compression
The following is a comparison between engineers and architects across different metrics: salary, work opportunity, licencing, study length, and career options that students must consider before joining either field.
The difference in degree length between Engineers & Architects
On average, a bachelor’s degree in engineering takes 4 years, while an architecture degree takes 5 years. Architects are among the most heavily demanding degrees as students spend 5-10 hours more on studying a week than engineering students. This does not mean engineering is easier than architecture, but architecture students usually work on model designs and drawings, which can be time-consuming.
Some engineering courses are offered as 5-year degrees, but most engineers can graduate in 4 years. In contrast, some architecture courses can take 3 years, especially outside the US. However, a bachelor’s degree in architecture in the US takes 5 years due to accreditation requirements. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) is the responsible body for architecture degrees in the US.
You can learn about architecture degree requirements from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. As for engineering degree length, we have summarised exactly how long it takes to finish every engineering major, read: How Long Does It Take To Become An Engineer? Full Guide. The following table summarises how long it takes to finish engineering and architecture.
| Degree | Bachelor’s | Masters | PhD | Total years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | 5 Years | 2-3 Years | 3 Years | 10-11 Years |
| Engineering | 4 Years | 2-3 Years | 3-5 Years | 9-12 Years |
The difference in salary between Engineers & Architects
We can not compare degrees without comparing salary expectations. After all, you do not want to spend 4-10 years at university without having an idea of how much you can make. The following compare major engineering salaries to architecture:
| Degree | Undergraduate | Bachelors | Masters | PhD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | $35,000 | $78,000 | $95,000 | $125,000 |
| Civil and Environmental Engineering | $38,000 | $65,000 | $95,000 | $130,000 |
| Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | $42,000 | $75,000 | $99,000 | $148,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $39,000 | $71,000 | $100,000 | $130,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $34,000 | $67,000 | $97,000 | $135,000 |
| Software Engineering | $55,000 | $82,000 | $105,000 | $155,000 |
| Aerospace Engineering | $52,000 | $75,000 | $88,000 | $140,000 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $37,000 | $83,000 | $88,000 | $110,000 |
| Mechatronics Engineering | $45,000 | $72,000 | $82,000 | $129,000 |
| Nuclear Engineering | $57,000 | $80,000 | $120,000 | $148,000 |
| Material Science Engineering | $33,000 | $63,000 | $80,000 | $149,000 |
| Industrial Engineering | $36,000 | $72,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 |
| Petroleum Engineering | $52,000 | $78,000 | $95,000 | $137,000 |
Disclaimer: Salary is based on averaged US Salary income collected from Indeed, ZipRecruiter, PayScale, other income report websites and private sources. The actual salary might differ slightly based on location, company, position and other factors.
Career options and choices between Engineers & Architects
While work opportunities are always on an upward trend due to increases in infrastructure and tech projects, career choices are very limited to architects. While in engineering, work opportunities are endless. Especially for civil engineers who have many career options after graduation, read 15 Civil Engineering Career Options. Insights, Salary & More.
The following are some career options for architects:
- Landscape architecture
- Architectural design
- Drafting
- Interior architecture
- Urban planning
- Heritage architecture
- Residential architecture
- Industrial designer
- Commercial architecture
Licence requirements for Engineers & Architects
While both degrees require responsible and competent people, architects in the US must be licensed to practice architecture according to the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB). As for engineers licencing requirements are not mandated. However, it is desirable for engineers in senior positions in their companies.
To become a licenced architect, you must graduate from a NAAB accredited university and pass the ARE exam. To become a licensed engineer, you must graduate and work in the industry for a minimum of 4 years before applying for the PE exam.
Is Architectural Engineering a good degree? Is it the best of both worlds?
If you think you can relate to both engineering and architecture, then architectural engineering is your best option. Architectural engineering is a hybrid between structural engineering and architecture. Engineers who go to architectural engineering are in charge of designing structures while working with architects.
Because it can be difficult to communicate between architects and structural engineers because one cares about aesthetics and the other cares about structural integrity, architectural engineers break the barrier between those disciplines by ensuring that both requirements are met in designing structures. However, with enough experience, the Structural Engineer can do the architectural engineering job.
Architectural engineering is considered a branch of civil engineering. It is usually offered as a double degree course in most universities, and the graduate can work in either engineering or architectural firms. The degree takes 5 years to complete, and it is in demand in both fields.
| Architectural Engineer | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Salary | $70,000 |
| Mid-Career Salary | $83,000 |
| Senior Level Salary | $115,000 |
Common Q&A about Engineers & Architects
Why do Civil Engineers and Architects hate each other?
There are differences in view and perspective between engineers and architects, which create tension—one cares too much about aesthetics and the other care about safety, cost and feasibility.
When both parties sit together, they try to communicate their concerns based on what they think is essential. While we can not deny that engineers and architects are in desperate need of each other, there is always frustration created between both parties trying to bring the other person to their own way of thinking.
For example, Architects design how things should look; this includes measurements, aesthetics and translating client requirements to the design. Engineers can see the architect’s design is very hard to bring to real life, or the design might be over the budget. In this process of finalising the design, a lot of compromisation can happen between engineers and architects, which can take weeks and months, creating tension and frustration.
Most firms do not have engineers and architects under the same building. This means two different entities trying their best to make as much profit as possible from the project budget, and usually, that means taking as much profit from the other entity’s potential profit.
For engineers, it means easier design that they do not have to spend too many resources to make. For architects, it means a very aesthetically appealing design to make as much profit from. Therefore, you can imagine the rivalry between architects and structural engineers in particular. However, this is not always the case; sometimes, the process can be very smooth.
Is architecture easier than engineering?
Both engineering and architecture have challenges. While engineering might seem more challenging, architects have different types of challenges. There is no comparison to be made between those fields in terms of challenges. Yet everything in construction is a big hassle of logistics as it is a very demanding industry and requires constant communication and collaboration, which is a very challenging thing to do.
Can engineers become architects?
While both structural engineers and architects can use similar tools such as CAD programs, that does not mean that engineers can start doing the architects’ job tomorrow. However, both fields have been trained to understand what the other is doing.
Structural engineers can read and understand architectural drawings, which are the blueprints upon which the structural drawings are made. The architect understands the way structural engineers think and the mechanics behind buildings and bridges, which help them create realistic designs that can be implemented.
Engineers vs Architects: Are you ready to make a choice?
If you have read this far, you can better understand the differences between both fields. Both careers can be extremely rewarding as they are part of the construction industry. Although I am an engineer, I have worked with architects before, and I understand how difficult their job can be. However, I know much more about what it means to be an engineer. If you want to learn more, I encourage you to check the Top 5 Reasons To Be An Engineer. Actual Engineer Opinion.
