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The differences between associate electrical engineers and electrical 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 engineer. Additionally, an electrical engineer has an average salary of $81,026, 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 engineer are autocad, electrical systems, and UL.
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $71,773 | $81,026 |
| Hourly rate | $34.51 | $38.95 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 31,707 | 68,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| 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.
Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and developing new electrical systems, solving issues, and testing equipment. They work on various technologies, including telecommunication systems, satellite communications, and electrical power stations. Electrical engineers study and apply the mathematics and physics of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity to small and large-scale electrical systems to transmit energy and process information. They often work with all types of electronic devices, such as supercomputers and power transmission. They also work in the emerging field of microelectronics.
Associate electrical engineers and electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $71,773 | $81,026 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $100,000 | Between $59,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redmond, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Technology |
There are a few differences between an associate electrical engineer and an electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| 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 engineers' demographics:
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.6% Female, 13.4% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| 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, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 16.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |