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The differences between controls designers and cost 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 designer and a cost engineer. Additionally, a controls designer has an average salary of $91,944, which is higher than the $87,901 average annual salary of a cost engineer.
The top three skills for a controls designer include PLC, control panels and IDS. The most important skills for a cost engineer are project management, cost analysis, and construction management.
| Controls Designer | Cost Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $91,944 | $87,901 |
| Hourly rate | $44.20 | $42.26 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 79,729 | 65,278 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Controls designers both design and draft systems of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical controls for equipment and machines. The designers make diagrams of the logic system for timing and sequence control. They illustrate and describe details for installation and maintenance, such as bearing lubrication and lubrication types. It is part of their job to review schematics with the representatives of customers to answer questions during robot system installation. Also, they may design energy conversion controls.
A cost engineer is responsible for projecting cost and expenses reports for the production process, identify and mitigate risks, and develop strategic techniques to reduce the excessive financial loss for project buildings. Cost engineers conduct data and statistical analysis to measure time deliverables and quality checks to ensure profitability and adherence to business objectives. They research and negotiate materials from trusted suppliers and vendors with high-quality products that would meet construction designs and client specifications.
Controls designers and cost engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Designer | Cost Engineer | |
| Average salary | $91,944 | $87,901 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $121,000 | Between $64,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Visteon | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a controls designer and a cost engineer in terms of educational background:
| Controls Designer | Cost Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between controls designers' and cost engineers' demographics:
| Controls Designer | Cost Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% | Male, 74.1% Female, 25.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 17.7% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |