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The differences between configuration engineers and automation engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a configuration engineer and an automation engineer. Additionally, a configuration engineer has an average salary of $101,024, which is higher than the $92,597 average annual salary of an automation engineer.
The top three skills for a configuration engineer include python, unix and java. The most important skills for an automation engineer are python, java, and PLC.
| Configuration Engineer | Automation Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $101,024 | $92,597 |
| Hourly rate | $48.57 | $44.52 |
| Growth rate | 21% | - |
| Number of jobs | 202,945 | 133,941 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Configuration Engineer specializes in designing and developing computer systems and products. Among their responsibilities include understanding the company's needs, performing extensive research and analysis, coordinating with fellow engineers and experts, developing blueprints and prototypes, and creating test structures to be the basis for improvement. They may gather and analyze data from existing projects to identify their strengths and weaknesses, implementing solutions against problem areas. Moreover, as a configuration engineer, it is essential to monitor the progress of staff, all while implementing safety policies and standards.
An automation engineer takes charge of developing detailed design specifications and any other documents. Automation engineers develop automation software that is based on certain requirements for the involved process. They conform to local standards, international standards, and other process-oriented guidelines. Their duties also include the simulation and testing of automated machinery and processes. The must-have skills for this position include configuration software experience, scripting and coding expertise, certifications, and in-depth knowledge of technology.
Configuration engineers and automation engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Configuration Engineer | Automation Engineer | |
| Average salary | $101,024 | $92,597 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $132,000 | Between $70,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | PayPal | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Retail |
There are a few differences between a configuration engineer and an automation engineer in terms of educational background:
| Configuration Engineer | Automation Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between configuration engineers' and automation engineers' demographics:
| Configuration Engineer | Automation Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.6% Female, 19.4% | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |