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The differences between circuit design engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a circuit design engineer and an engineer. Additionally, a circuit design engineer has an average salary of $107,694, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a circuit design engineer include circuit design, CMOS and RF. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Circuit Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $107,694 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $51.78 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 70,906 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Circuit design engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Circuit Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $107,694 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $84,000 And $137,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Federal Way, WA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Apple | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a circuit design engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Circuit Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between circuit design engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Circuit Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| 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, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |