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The differences between controls design engineers and electronics 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 an electronics engineer. Additionally, an electronics engineer has an average salary of $93,985, which is higher than the $90,850 average annual salary of a controls design engineer.
The top three skills for a controls design engineer include autocad, PLC and CAD. The most important skills for an electronics engineer are analog, RF, and power electronics.
| Controls Design Engineer | Electronics Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $90,850 | $93,985 |
| Hourly rate | $43.68 | $45.19 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 95,461 | 83,870 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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.
An electronics engineer specializes in designing and developing electronic components and systems, ensuring efficiency in all aspects. They are primarily responsible for conducting tests and maintenance for systems, identifying any faults or inconsistencies, and performing corrective measures right away. Moreover, an electronics engineer must coordinate with clients to consult them on their needs and meet with other skilled engineers to ensure optimal quality of equipment. An electronics engineer may also perform administrative tasks, mainly to produce progress reports and presentations, manage schedules, and craft instructional written materials for all electronic systems.
Controls design engineers and electronics engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Design Engineer | Electronics Engineer | |
| Average salary | $90,850 | $93,985 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $119,000 | Between $68,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a controls design engineer and an electronics engineer in terms of educational background:
| Controls Design Engineer | Electronics Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between controls design engineers' and electronics engineers' demographics:
| Controls Design Engineer | Electronics Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% |
| 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, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 15.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |