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The differences between automation & controls engineers and communications engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an automation & controls engineer and a communications engineer. Additionally, an automation & controls engineer has an average salary of $89,542, which is higher than the $83,540 average annual salary of a communications engineer.
The top three skills for an automation & controls engineer include PLC, HMI and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a communications engineer are RF, unified communications, and unity.
| Automation & Controls Engineer | Communications Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $89,542 | $83,540 |
| Hourly rate | $43.05 | $40.16 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 54,312 | 71,942 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An automation & controls engineer is responsible for designing technology systems to support business operations and maximize productivity, minimizing costing effects, and develop efficient and fast deliverables. Automation & controls engineers analyze client specifications and business requirements, running multiple diagnostic and troubleshooting tests to ensure the accuracy of outputs according to budget limitations and project management procedures. They must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, especially on writing system codes and a strong command of programming languages.
The duties of a communications engineer depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Their responsibilities typically revolve around designing and developing new systems to optimize operations, performing research and assessments to identify company needs, determining the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems, and providing solutions on issues and concerns. Furthermore, as a communications engineer, it is essential to perform regular maintenance checks to ensure a safe and productive work environment, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Automation & controls engineers and communications engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation & Controls Engineer | Communications Engineer | |
| Average salary | $89,542 | $83,540 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $116,000 | Between $62,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Carlos, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Integrated DNA Technologies | Shearman & Sterling |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Finance |
There are a few differences between an automation & controls engineer and a communications engineer in terms of educational background:
| Automation & Controls Engineer | Communications Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between automation & controls engineers' and communications engineers' demographics:
| Automation & Controls Engineer | Communications Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5% | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |