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The differences between configuration engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a configuration engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a configuration engineer has an average salary of $101,024, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a configuration engineer include python, unix and java. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Configuration Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $101,024 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $48.57 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 202,945 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
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.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Configuration engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Configuration Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $101,024 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $132,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | PayPal | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a configuration engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Configuration Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between configuration engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Configuration Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.6% Female, 19.4% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| 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, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |