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Communications systems engineer vs telecommunication engineer

The differences between communications systems engineers and telecommunication 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 $80,789 average annual salary of a telecommunication engineer.

The top three skills for a communications systems engineer include RF, communications systems and C++. The most important skills for a telecommunication engineer are telecommunication, voip, and RF.

Communications systems engineer vs telecommunication engineer overview

Communications Systems EngineerTelecommunication Engineer
Yearly salary$127,832$80,789
Hourly rate$61.46$38.84
Growth rate5%3%
Number of jobs105,09228,331
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4545
Years of experience-6

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 telecommunication engineer do?

A telecommunication engineer is responsible for installing, testing, and repairing telecommunication systems including mobile telephone networks and fiber optic and digital satellite systems. Your day-to-day duties include diagnosing and troubleshooting systems faults, installing static and mobile antennae on masts and buildings, and designing, developing, and testing telecommunications equipment and components. As a telecommunication engineer, you are also required to provide guidance and support to telecommunication installers to ensure quality. You are also responsible for providing recommendations to upgrade outdated equipment.

Communications systems engineer vs telecommunication engineer salary

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

Communications Systems EngineerTelecommunication Engineer
Average salary$127,832$80,789
Salary rangeBetween $90,000 And $179,000Between $59,000 And $109,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew MexicoRhode Island
Best paying companyMetaApple
Best paying industryTelecommunicationFinance

Differences between communications systems engineer and telecommunication engineer education

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

Communications Systems EngineerTelecommunication Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNortheastern University

Communications systems engineer vs telecommunication engineer demographics

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

Communications Systems EngineerTelecommunication Engineer
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 85.4% Female, 14.6%Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3%
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, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage7%6%

Differences between communications systems engineer and telecommunication 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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Telecommunication engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage, administer UCCE / PCCE contact center environment.
  • Manage main distribution frame (mdf) and record keeping.
  • Manage video conferencing technologies such as Telepresence, and video support in WebEx.
  • Manage services providers and vendors including contract negotiations, billing and SLA management.
  • Manage a Nortel 81C PBX for a large international corporation with offices in Indianapolis.
  • Manage the relocation of the San Francisco office, including the scheduling and timing of PBX and voice mail vendors.
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Communications systems engineer vs telecommunication engineer skills

Common communications systems engineer skills
  • RF, 21%
  • Communications Systems, 13%
  • C++, 7%
  • DOD, 5%
  • Engineering Support, 4%
  • Design Reviews, 4%
Common telecommunication engineer skills
  • Telecommunication, 11%
  • VoIP, 8%
  • RF, 5%
  • Switches, 5%
  • Fiber Optic, 5%
  • Project Management, 4%

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