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The differences between controls design engineers and controls engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a controls design engineer and a controls engineer. Additionally, a controls design engineer has an average salary of $90,850, which is higher than the $84,532 average annual salary of a controls engineer.
The top three skills for a controls design engineer include autocad, PLC and CAD. The most important skills for a controls engineer are C++, troubleshoot, and UL.
| Controls Design Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $90,850 | $84,532 |
| Hourly rate | $43.68 | $40.64 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 95,461 | 50,203 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
It is the responsibility of a controls design engineer to research and design a company's new systems and products. Controls design engineers oversee the production of complicated equipment and systems. They perform tests and analyze the design use associated with the system's element function. Part of their job is to seek consistent system results and operation within specific tolerances. They also draft blueprints, oversee manufacturing processes, and establish test prototypes.
A Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and supervising electrical control systems, machinery, and equipment. They oversee projects from initial concept to installation and commissioning.
Controls design engineers and controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Design Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $90,850 | $84,532 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $119,000 | Between $64,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a controls design engineer and a controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Controls Design Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between controls design engineers' and controls engineers' demographics:
| Controls Design Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% | Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |