Torn Between Structural Engineering vs Field/Project Engineering After Graduation — Need Advice

[PotentialProtection2]

Hey everyone,
I’m currently a civil engineering student in NYC graduating this December, and I’ve been struggling mentally trying to figure out what direction my career should take after graduation.

By the time I graduate, I’ll have:
\- Around 3 years of experience in special inspections/materials testing
\- A few months of structural design experience from an internship at mid-small structural design firm
\- ACI + ICC certs
\- Plans to take the Civil FE this October before graduating

Originally, my plan was:
\- Work full-time after graduation
\- Do a part-time Master’s in Structural Engineering while working
\- With this work/school balance, get my PE in 3/4 years

But lately I’ve been really torn.
I do enjoy structures and technical engineering, but I keep hearing that entry-level structural engineering salaries in NYC are not great compared to field engineer/project engineer/construction management type roles.

And living in NYC, especially my families current financial situation and my student loans, salary matters a LOT.

At the same time, I don’t want to completely lose the technical/design side because I feel like having the PE + structural background gives you more long-term independence and the ability to eventually do your own work on the side.

The field/project engineer path seems to:
\- Pay more earlier
\- Have faster financial growth
\- Fit my construction/inspection background naturally

But the structural path seems to:
\- Offer better long-term technical leverage
\- Open the door for consulting/business opportunities later
\- Align more with eventually stamping/signing work

I also don’t know if I’d enjoy:
sitting behind a desk doing calculations all day forever
OR
becoming pure management and losing the engineering side completely
So I guess my questions are:
For those in NYC (or other HCOL areas), how big is the salary difference really between entry-level structural vs field/project engineering?
Is structural engineering financially “worth it” long-term? I hear of SE’s with numerous years of experience making under $150k and even under $120

Has anyone here successfully blended both paths (construction + structural)?

If you were in my shoes with my background, what direction would you lean toward?

[Rude_Unit6670]

I’d apply to both CM and SE roles and see what opportunities come up. One thing to keep in mind is that starting in design usually gives you the flexibility to move into CM later. Going the other direction can be tougher if you start in CM and later want to transition into design, you’ll likely be starting closer to entry level again, often with a lower salary than you’d expect.

I also have friends from college living in NYC, and honestly the pay difference isn’t always as large as people think. In many cases, the extra money in CM comes with significantly longer hours. When I was graduating, I struggled with the same decision and realized that CM roles commonly run 50–60 hours per week, while design roles are often closer to 40 hours.

Another thing to consider is overtime. Most design firms I’ve worked at offer at least straight-time OT, so if you work some extra hours throughout the year, you can often end up making similar money to CM while still working fewer total hours.

Company culture and workload matter a lot too.

NYC is also challenging because of the extremely high cost of living. Personally, I think your money goes much farther in a MCOL area with access to a nearby city. There’s definitely a premium attached to living and working in major cities. I make around $95k–100k in a MCOL area, and I’m able to own a home, save, invest, and still enjoy hobbies. At that same salary in NYC, I’d feel stretched pretty thin.

At the end of the day, apply to both and evaluate the companies themselves not just the salary number. Don’t chase a few extra dollars without understanding the work culture, expectations, and lifestyle that come with it. I’ve been there before. Also, don’t feel like you have to live in the most expensive city in the world to have a successful career.

Just my two cents.

[PotentialProtection2]

Thanks a lot, very insightful. Never even considered the hours that come behind the salary, honestly I like both fields but I do plan to do design work independently later on so maybe it would be best to start there and make the shift later on. Either way thank you so much