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The differences between commissioning engineers and controls 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 commissioning engineer and a controls engineer. Additionally, a commissioning engineer has an average salary of $97,374, which is higher than the $84,532 average annual salary of a controls engineer.
The top three skills for a commissioning engineer include HVAC, test procedures and MEP. The most important skills for a controls engineer are C++, troubleshoot, and UL.
| Commissioning Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,374 | $84,532 |
| Hourly rate | $46.81 | $40.64 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 90,740 | 50,203 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A commissioning engineer is responsible for supporting engineering and technical projects by analyzing designs and identifying resources within budget limitations and timetables. Commissioning engineers monitor the project cycle and help the team on writing down progress observations, performing diagnostic tests, creating instructional manuals and resolutions, and ensuring healthy and productive business relationships with clients. They also coordinate with the team to suggest adjustment plans and implementing essential guidelines that would fit the market standards to attract potential clients for future profitability.
A Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and supervising electrical control systems, machinery, and equipment. They oversee projects from initial concept to installation and commissioning.
Commissioning engineers and controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Commissioning Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,374 | $84,532 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $144,000 | Between $64,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a commissioning engineer and a controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Commissioning Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between commissioning engineers' and controls engineers' demographics:
| Commissioning Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.4% Female, 4.6% | Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 12.3% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |