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Communications systems engineer vs computer systems engineer

The differences between communications systems engineers and computer systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a communications systems engineer has an average salary of $127,832, which is higher than the $76,534 average annual salary of a computer systems engineer.

The top three skills for a communications systems engineer include RF, communications systems and C++. The most important skills for a computer systems engineer are computer system, python, and C++.

Communications systems engineer vs computer systems engineer overview

Communications Systems EngineerComputer Systems Engineer
Yearly salary$127,832$76,534
Hourly rate$61.46$36.80
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs105,092149,045
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4543
Years of experience-2

What does a communications systems engineer do?

Communication systems engineers are engineering professionals who are responsible for developing communication systems and general electrical designs for their clients. These engineers are required to prepare communication designs, including diagrams, instructions, and the cost of materials for large-scale telecommunications projects. They must undergo certification training so that they can perform maintenance on communication and navigation systems. Communication systems engineers must also work with the development and test engineering to select for proper communication system components and to ensure that features are working properly.

What does a computer systems engineer do?

Computer systems engineers solve complex problems in network operations. These engineers test the system operations to check for a possible security breach and search for new processes to improve the entire system function. They work with other computer engineers to determine the details needed to design an integrated computer system. Their jobs require communications skills, critical thinking skills, and experience in systems evaluation to perform their duties well. They would also need to have a background in computers, technology and engineering, and computer design.

Communications systems engineer vs computer systems engineer salary

Communications systems engineers and computer systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Communications Systems EngineerComputer Systems Engineer
Average salary$127,832$76,534
Salary rangeBetween $90,000 And $179,000Between $59,000 And $98,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew MexicoMaryland
Best paying companyMetaGoogle
Best paying industryTelecommunicationTechnology

Differences between communications systems engineer and computer systems engineer education

There are a few differences between a communications systems engineer and a computer systems engineer in terms of educational background:

Communications Systems EngineerComputer Systems Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringComputer Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Communications systems engineer vs computer systems engineer demographics

Here are the differences between communications systems engineers' and computer systems engineers' demographics:

Communications Systems EngineerComputer Systems Engineer
Average age4543
Gender ratioMale, 85.4% Female, 14.6%Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 12.7% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 13.1% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between communications systems engineer and computer systems engineer duties and responsibilities

Communications systems engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the day-to-day operation of a large-scale military airfield RF communications-electronics planning, integration and maintenance facility.
  • Develop and integrate software that drives flight control system hardware and achieves product requirements for an international avionics customer base.
  • Lead person in evaluating, researching, and testing of LAN communications Software/Hardware.
  • Design premise wiring to support both voice and data during new facilities installations and LAN upgrades.
  • Conduct documentation, PBX cutover vendor coordination and initial site turnover and signoff of (UAT) user acceptance testing.
  • Perform communications interference analyses involving various customer spacecraft and NASA assets, including characterization of communications degradation due to co-channel interferers.
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Computer systems engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage SQL and FoxPro databases.
  • Manage & monitor database servers and perform weekly/monthly data backup schedules and recovery strategies.
  • Maintain PC and UNIX hardware and operating systems and function as a UNIX administrator.
  • Design and implement a 100Base-T network and T1 DSU/CSU connection, replacing an archaic token ring LAN infrastructure.
  • Lead the team that develop standards and data deployment architecture.
  • Lead a team of programmers, mainframe coding on business ordering systems.
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Communications systems engineer vs computer systems engineer skills

Common communications systems engineer skills
  • RF, 21%
  • Communications Systems, 13%
  • C++, 7%
  • DOD, 5%
  • Engineering Support, 4%
  • Design Reviews, 4%
Common computer systems engineer skills
  • Computer System, 12%
  • Python, 11%
  • C++, 9%
  • Linux, 8%
  • Java, 5%
  • SAN, 4%

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