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The differences between associate electrical engineers and electrical engineering technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an associate electrical engineer, becoming an electrical engineering technician takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, an associate electrical engineer has an average salary of $71,773, which is higher than the $56,704 average annual salary of an electrical engineering technician.
The top three skills for an associate electrical engineer include electrical components, electrical equipment and RF. The most important skills for an electrical engineering technician are test equipment, PLC, and CAD.
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Electrical Engineering Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $71,773 | $56,704 |
| Hourly rate | $34.51 | $27.26 |
| Growth rate | 3% | - |
| Number of jobs | 31,707 | 133,838 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Associate Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 45 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 10 |
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 engineering technician is responsible for evaluating and designing electrical systems and improving the control equipment to support business functions and operations. Electrical engineering technicians assemble and install components by analyzing blueprints and schematics accurately. They also strategize cost-reduction techniques without compromising the quality standards, requiring them to negotiate with trusted suppliers and vendors for tools and materials needed for the production. An electrical engineering technician monitors the conceptualization of layout designs until the final output launch to ensure stability and prevent downtimes.
Associate electrical engineers and electrical engineering technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Electrical Engineering Technician | |
| Average salary | $71,773 | $56,704 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $100,000 | Between $41,000 And $76,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Walnut Creek, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Applied Materials |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Transportation |
There are a few differences between an associate electrical engineer and an electrical engineering technician in terms of educational background:
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Electrical Engineering Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Associate Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between associate electrical engineers' and electrical engineering technicians' demographics:
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Electrical Engineering Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.6% Female, 13.4% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |