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The differences between associate electrical engineers and senior 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 a senior electrical engineer. Additionally, a senior electrical engineer has an average salary of $109,315, 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 senior electrical engineer are control systems, electrical equipment, and electrical systems.
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $71,773 | $109,315 |
| Hourly rate | $34.51 | $52.56 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 31,707 | 82,639 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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 senior electrical engineer is an individual who leads other engineers to review electrical design plans and analyze existing electrical systems. Senior electrical engineers must establish relationships with clients, vendors, and suppliers to ensure that projects are completed according to specifications. They create project budgets and produce working schedules and company regulations to make sure that a safe and positive working environment is achieved. Senior electrical engineers must be passionate about engineering development by attending electrical conferences and events.
Associate electrical engineers and senior electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $71,773 | $109,315 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $100,000 | Between $82,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, 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 a senior electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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 senior electrical engineers' demographics:
| Associate Electrical Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.6% Female, 13.4% | Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3% |
| 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, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 15.5% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |