Engineer vs. Lawyer: What Are the Differences?

Engineers and lawyers are both professionals with a lot of responsibility. Though they share some qualities, many aspects of these careers differ. If you’re interested in working in engineering or law, learning more about each field and what you may earn can be beneficial. In this article, we explain what engineers and lawyers are, provide a list of differences between the two and review helpful tips you can use when choosing a profession.

What is an Engineer?

Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, testing and supervising the manufacture of products, machines, structures and systems. They use their scientific and mathematical knowledge to find ways to improve the efficiency of processes and products. Engineers work in a variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing, mining, and oil and gas extraction. There are many different types of engineers, including civil, electrical, mechanical and mining engineers.

What is a Lawyer?

Lawyers represent clients in both criminal and civil legal cases. They may work for a law firm, the government, or a corporation. Lawyers research and analyze legal issues and write legal opinions. They also present evidence in court and argue on behalf of their clients. Lawyers must have a law degree and pass a state bar exam to practice law.

Engineer vs. Lawyer

Here are the main differences between an engineer and a lawyer.

Job Duties

Both lawyers and engineers have varied job duties, depending on their specialty, level of experience and employer. For example, a patent lawyer may research previous patents to determine whether an application is worthy of approval, while a civil engineer might conduct a structural assessment of a building to determine its safety after a natural disaster. However, there are some key differences in the types of duties these professionals perform.

For example, a lawyer typically performs work that involves reading and writing. They often spend most of their time at a desk and use computers to research information and prepare documents for clients. In contrast, an engineer may perform more hands-on tasks, like designing or building something. They also regularly use technical equipment like drafting tables and computer programs to complete their work.

Job Requirements

To become an engineer, you need to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited program. Once you have your degree, you must obtain a license from your state’s licensing board. To become a lawyer, you need to earn a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and pass your state’s bar exam.

Work Environment

Engineers typically work in an office or laboratory setting. They may also travel to construction sites and other locations where they can perform their duties. Lawyers usually work in an office environment, but they may also visit clients’ homes, courtrooms and prisons as part of their job responsibilities.

Both engineers and lawyers often work long hours during busy periods. However, the nature of their jobs means that engineers are more likely to spend time on a project than lawyers. For example, an engineer might spend several months working on a single design before moving onto another project. In contrast, a lawyer might spend only a few days preparing for a trial before returning to regular duties.

Skills

Both engineers and lawyers need to have excellent problem-solving skills. For engineers, this skill is used when they are designing products or systems that solve a problem or address a need facing individuals, families and business owners. For lawyers, this skill is used when they are researching cases, developing arguments and finding solutions for their clients.

Both engineers and lawyers need to be able to communicate effectively. Engineers use communication skills when they are creating reports of their research, corresponding with other engineers and colleagues and developing blueprints for their products. Lawyers use communication skills when they are writing briefs, arguing cases in court and giving presentations.

Organization is also crucial for both engineers and lawyers. Engineers need to be organized when they are overseeing multiple projects or initiatives in a company at one time. Lawyers need to be organized when they are managing multiple cases at one time.

While there are some similarities between the skills needed for engineers and lawyers, there are also some differences. Engineers need to have technical skills, such as circuit design, advanced mathematics, linear systems and analysis and electrical schematics. Lawyers need to have research skills, such as the ability to find relevant information quickly and efficiently.

Salary

The average salary for an engineer is $89,577 per year, while the average salary for a lawyer is $94,905 per year. Both salaries can vary depending on the type of work you do, your location and your experience level.