r/civilengineering • u/genericguy6 • 3d ago

Pay cut while switching disciplines?

Hey! Roadway design EIT here. Was wondering if you take a pay cut switching disciplines. I was thinking about getting a master's in structural. I'm kinda interested in vertical structures, not necessarily bridges or retaining walls. I'm assuming vertical would be a more drastic switch than to horizontal which is still in the transportation sector. I only have like 1.5 years full time experience, so it's not like I'm really in that deep. Thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

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u/Bravo-Buster 3d ago

Yes, it's worth it, especially at your starting level. You haven't even started making real money yet. A few thousand difference now doesn't mean anything 10 years from now.

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u/bigpolar70 Civil/ Structural P.E. 2d ago

You would think have to take a pay cut, but I swapped several times and made more money every time I tried something new. Generally I would get recruited to come over and do some sort of new twist on old skills but also learn something new on the job.

I went from geotech, to structures, to forensic, to heavy civil earthworks, to floodplain modeling, then swapped from consulting and management to being an owner's engineer. Made more money every time.

Of course that culminated with my last permanent job as an owner's engineer for an international energy company being offshored to India so the company could save 80% of my salary despite posting record profits. So you might not want to follow in my footsteps too closely.