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Controls project manager vs project controls engineer

The differences between controls project managers and project controls engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a controls project manager, becoming a project controls engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a controls project manager has an average salary of $114,682, which is higher than the $86,685 average annual salary of a project controls engineer.

The top three skills for a controls project manager include project management, project controls and construction management. The most important skills for a project controls engineer are project controls, project management, and construction management.

Controls project manager vs project controls engineer overview

Controls Project ManagerProject Controls Engineer
Yearly salary$114,682$86,685
Hourly rate$55.14$41.68
Growth rate8%3%
Number of jobs122,59238,974
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4645
Years of experience86

What does a controls project manager do?

A Controls Project Manager supervises the project control of engineering and construction projects. They are responsible for estimating costs, monitoring work progress, and quality assurance.

What does a project controls engineer do?

A Project Controls Engineer creates project cost reports and progress charts. These professionals interpret the company contract and deal with the existing cost control database and financial risk. Project Controls Engineers reconcile and organize the project cost information with the clients' status reports. Also, they evaluate cash flow reports and project cost reports prepared by CMA.

Controls project manager vs project controls engineer salary

Controls project managers and project controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Controls Project ManagerProject Controls Engineer
Average salary$114,682$86,685
Salary rangeBetween $79,000 And $165,000Between $63,000 And $119,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateIdahoCalifornia
Best paying companyCheniere EnergyBP America Inc
Best paying industryConstructionEnergy

Differences between controls project manager and project controls engineer education

There are a few differences between a controls project manager and a project controls engineer in terms of educational background:

Controls Project ManagerProject Controls Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoStanford University

Controls project manager vs project controls engineer demographics

Here are the differences between controls project managers' and project controls engineers' demographics:

Controls Project ManagerProject Controls Engineer
Average age4645
Gender ratioMale, 76.7% Female, 23.3%Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%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 Percentage4%6%

Differences between controls project manager and project controls engineer duties and responsibilities

Controls project manager example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage EVMS to assess project status & monitor schedule and costs.
  • Manage integrated product team (IPT) coordinating mechanical, electrical, and software development.
  • Perform EVM, update percent complete, managing invoices, prepare end of month reports, and perform change management procedures.
  • Design and manage creation of facility electrical systems including PLC controls.
  • Manage all procurement activities including purchasing, subcontracting, expediting, transportation, and logistics.
  • Manage implementation of specify HVAC / mechanical projects specializing in BACNET and LonWorks base control components for building automation.
  • Show more

Project controls engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage accruals, cash flows, and invoices for $25MM total install cost EPC project.
  • Manage multiple projects involving both internal and vendor resources affecting national production infrastructure.
  • Create and maintain CPM schedules for engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning phases on various projects.
  • Develop and improve PMO process methodologies.
  • Optimize plant maintenance and manpower scheduling using spreadsheet forecasting models.
  • Prepare summary level CPM schedules and present progress to owner company executive management on a monthly basis.
  • Show more

Controls project manager vs project controls engineer skills

Common controls project manager skills
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Project Controls, 11%
  • Construction Management, 6%
  • Risk Management, 4%
  • Cost Control, 4%
  • Project Execution, 4%
Common project controls engineer skills
  • Project Controls, 12%
  • Project Management, 9%
  • Construction Management, 7%
  • Primavera P6, 5%
  • Control Systems, 3%
  • Project Cost, 3%

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