Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between circuit design engineers and electrical designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a circuit design engineer, becoming an electrical designer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a circuit design engineer has an average salary of $107,694, which is higher than the $64,930 average annual salary of an electrical designer.
The top three skills for a circuit design engineer include circuit design, CMOS and RF. The most important skills for an electrical designer are revit, electrical design, and autocad electrical.
| Circuit Design Engineer | Electrical Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $107,694 | $64,930 |
| Hourly rate | $51.78 | $31.22 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 70,906 | 82,332 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Associate Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A circuit design engineer specializes in designing and developing electrical components and circuits in devices and machinery. Among their responsibilities include identifying the needs of every project, developing strategies to attain optimal quality, developing diagrams and test structures, troubleshooting, and repairing issues. They must also perform regular maintenance checks on existing systems and perform upgrades and corrective measures as needed. Moreover, a circuit design engineer typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.
An electrical designer designs and develops electrical circuit and system layouts for electric power distribution. The responsibilities of an electrical designer include assembling electrical panels and leading a team of document control personnel in-charged to identify and organize facility maintenance drawings. The position requires good initiative, writing, speaking, and mathematical skills to accomplish such responsibilities. The job's education requirements include possessing a college degree in electrical engineering, design, or a related field.
Circuit design engineers and electrical designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Circuit Design Engineer | Electrical Designer | |
| Average salary | $107,694 | $64,930 |
| Salary range | Between $84,000 And $137,000 | Between $47,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Federal Way, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Amd |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a circuit design engineer and an electrical designer in terms of educational background:
| Circuit Design Engineer | Electrical Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Associate Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between circuit design engineers' and electrical designers' demographics:
| Circuit Design Engineer | Electrical Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 19.9% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |