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The differences between controls design engineers and radio frequency 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 radio frequency engineer. Additionally, a controls design engineer has an average salary of $90,850, which is higher than the $88,301 average annual salary of a radio frequency engineer.
The top three skills for a controls design engineer include autocad, PLC and CAD. The most important skills for a radio frequency engineer are test equipment, antenna, and system performance.
| Controls Design Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $90,850 | $88,301 |
| Hourly rate | $43.68 | $42.45 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 95,461 | 35,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| 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 radio frequency engineer, also known as RF engineer, specializes in designing and developing communication systems using radio waves. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around creating networks and systems and testing equipment. They make sure that equipment is up to high standards by traveling to different areas as needed, troubleshooting issues to identify the root of problems and performing corrective measures required. Furthermore, a radio frequency engineer must continuously optimize equipment quality and ensure efficiency while adhering to the laws and regulations.
Controls design engineers and radio frequency engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Design Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average salary | $90,850 | $88,301 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $119,000 | Between $67,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | Cupertino, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a controls design engineer and a radio frequency engineer in terms of educational background:
| Controls Design Engineer | Radio Frequency 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 | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between controls design engineers' and radio frequency engineers' demographics:
| Controls Design Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 20.7% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |