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The differences between control systems engineers and electrical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a control systems engineer, becoming an electrical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a control systems engineer has an average salary of $92,727, which is higher than the $81,026 average annual salary of an electrical engineer.
The top three skills for a control systems engineer include PLC, HMI and C++. The most important skills for an electrical engineer are autocad, electrical systems, and UL.
| Control Systems Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,727 | $81,026 |
| Hourly rate | $44.58 | $38.95 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 133,220 | 68,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
Control systems engineers are interdisciplinary engineers managing the company's control systems. They are expected to be familiar with different engineering disciplines such as mechanical, industrial, and computer science, among others. They are responsible for designing systems based on the company's requirements. Control systems engineers must conduct feasibility studies to ensure that the company's requirements can be met. They are also responsible for developing the systems, creating prototypes, and testing. They test whether the control systems produce desired results. After testing, control systems engineers implement the system and conduct routine maintenance checks.
Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and developing new electrical systems, solving issues, and testing equipment. They work on various technologies, including telecommunication systems, satellite communications, and electrical power stations. Electrical engineers study and apply the mathematics and physics of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity to small and large-scale electrical systems to transmit energy and process information. They often work with all types of electronic devices, such as supercomputers and power transmission. They also work in the emerging field of microelectronics.
Control systems engineers and electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Control Systems Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,727 | $81,026 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $118,000 | Between $59,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redmond, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a control systems engineer and an electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Control Systems Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between control systems engineers' and electrical engineers' demographics:
| Control Systems Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.5% Female, 9.5% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 15.4% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 16.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |