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The differences between commissioning engineers and project 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 project engineer. Additionally, a commissioning engineer has an average salary of $97,374, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.
The top three skills for a commissioning engineer include HVAC, test procedures and MEP. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.
| Commissioning Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,374 | $75,050 |
| Hourly rate | $46.81 | $36.08 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 90,740 | 176,689 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| 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 Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
Commissioning engineers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Commissioning Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,374 | $75,050 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $144,000 | Between $55,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a commissioning engineer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Commissioning Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between commissioning engineers' and project engineers' demographics:
| Commissioning Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.4% Female, 4.6% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| 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, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |