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The differences between automation engineers and systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an automation engineer, becoming a systems engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an automation engineer has an average salary of $92,597, which is higher than the $82,834 average annual salary of a systems engineer.
The top three skills for an automation engineer include python, java and PLC. The most important skills for a systems engineer are python, linux, and C++.
| Automation Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,597 | $82,834 |
| Hourly rate | $44.52 | $39.82 |
| Growth rate | - | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 133,941 | 145,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An automation engineer takes charge of developing detailed design specifications and any other documents. Automation engineers develop automation software that is based on certain requirements for the involved process. They conform to local standards, international standards, and other process-oriented guidelines. Their duties also include the simulation and testing of automated machinery and processes. The must-have skills for this position include configuration software experience, scripting and coding expertise, certifications, and in-depth knowledge of technology.
Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.
Automation engineers and systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,597 | $82,834 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $121,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an automation engineer and a systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Automation Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between automation engineers' and systems engineers' demographics:
| Automation Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |