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The differences between associate electrical engineers and field 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 a field engineer. Additionally, a field engineer has an average salary of $71,874, 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 a field engineer are customer service, customer satisfaction, and project management.
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Field Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $71,773 | $71,874 |
| Hourly rate | $34.51 | $34.55 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 31,707 | 86,015 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| 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.
A field engineer's role will vary on the industry or line of work involved. However, the primary responsibility will mostly revolve around handling equipment and machinery, ensuring that they function effectively and safely. It is also the task of a field engineer to oversee the workflow and workforce, giving directions and recommendations when necessary. Furthermore, a field engineer must develop strategies and plans to improve the site's efficiency, produce progress reports, and coordinate with other workers.
Associate electrical engineers and field engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Field Engineer | |
| Average salary | $71,773 | $71,874 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $100,000 | Between $51,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Energy |
There are a few differences between an associate electrical engineer and a field engineer in terms of educational background:
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Field Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between associate electrical engineers' and field engineers' demographics:
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Field Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.6% Female, 13.4% | Male, 92.7% Female, 7.3% |
| 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, 11.5% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |