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The differences between commissioning engineers and research 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 research engineer. Additionally, a commissioning engineer has an average salary of $97,374, which is higher than the $96,945 average annual salary of a research engineer.
The top three skills for a commissioning engineer include HVAC, test procedures and MEP. The most important skills for a research engineer are python, java, and software development.
| Commissioning Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,374 | $96,945 |
| Hourly rate | $46.81 | $46.61 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 90,740 | 136,763 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| 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.
Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.
Commissioning engineers and research engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Commissioning Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,374 | $96,945 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $144,000 | Between $67,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a commissioning engineer and a research engineer in terms of educational background:
| Commissioning Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between commissioning engineers' and research engineers' demographics:
| Commissioning Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.4% Female, 4.6% | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |