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The differences between controls engineers and special project 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 engineer and a special project engineer. Additionally, a controls engineer has an average salary of $84,532, which is higher than the $70,934 average annual salary of a special project engineer.
The top three skills for a controls engineer include C++, troubleshoot and UL. The most important skills for a special project engineer are DOD, design changes, and engineering support.
| Controls Engineer | Special Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $84,532 | $70,934 |
| Hourly rate | $40.64 | $34.10 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 50,203 | 90,999 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
A special project engineer is in-charged in the preparation, scheduling, coordination, and monitoring of engineering projects. He/She or she should be able to establish good relationships with prospective clients to gain information on engineering requirements and delegate tasks to staff. The core skills that a special project engineer should possess include good creative ability and excellent mechanical and listening skills. Other requirements to qualify for the position include a college degree in business or mechanical engineering.
Controls engineers and special project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Engineer | Special Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $84,532 | $70,934 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $111,000 | Between $52,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | Newark, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a controls engineer and a special project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Controls Engineer | Special Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between controls engineers' and special project engineers' demographics:
| Controls Engineer | Special Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2% | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |