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The differences between associate electrical engineers and electrical controls engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an associate electrical engineer and an electrical controls engineer. Additionally, an electrical controls engineer has an average salary of $82,681, which is higher than the $71,773 average annual salary of an associate electrical engineer.
The top three skills for an associate electrical engineer include electrical components, electrical equipment and RF. The most important skills for an electrical controls engineer are HMI, PLC, and allen-bradley.
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $71,773 | $82,681 |
| Hourly rate | $34.51 | $39.75 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 31,707 | 54,037 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An associate electrical engineer is responsible for organizing and developing electrical systems, improving existing components, and designing infrastructure under the guidance of the senior electrical engineer. Associate electrical engineers identify cost-reduction materials and analyze current electrical industry trends to determine efficient products and equipment that support public demands and industrial use. They collaborate testing methods with the engineering team, suggest project improvement techniques, and perform quality assurance procedures to stabilize the electrical system's optimal performance.
An electrical controls engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and optimal performance of the organization's electrical tools and equipment, usually in manufacturing and warehouse settings. Electrical controls engineers use their excellent analytical and statistical skills to analyze operational processes and suggest production improvement techniques maximize productivity and reduce service delays. They conduct preventive maintenance on the equipment and machinery, including network and system configuration, to increase efficiency and accuracy. An electrical controls engineer maintains operational reports, including equipment and machinery instructional manuals for reference.
Associate electrical engineers and electrical controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $71,773 | $82,681 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $100,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Tallgrass Energy |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an associate electrical engineer and an electrical controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between associate electrical engineers' and electrical controls engineers' demographics:
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.6% Female, 13.4% | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |