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The differences between commissioning engineers and staff 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 staff engineer. Additionally, a staff engineer has an average salary of $107,530, which is higher than the $97,374 average annual salary of a commissioning engineer.
The top three skills for a commissioning engineer include HVAC, test procedures and MEP. The most important skills for a staff engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Commissioning Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,374 | $107,530 |
| Hourly rate | $46.81 | $51.70 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 90,740 | 277,011 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| 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.
Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.
Commissioning engineers and staff engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Commissioning Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,374 | $107,530 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $144,000 | Between $69,000 And $167,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Flexport |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a commissioning engineer and a staff engineer in terms of educational background:
| Commissioning Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between commissioning engineers' and staff engineers' demographics:
| Commissioning Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.4% Female, 4.6% | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% |
| 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, 16.8% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |