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The differences between digital 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 digital design engineer and a radio frequency engineer. Additionally, a digital design engineer has an average salary of $108,993, which is higher than the $88,301 average annual salary of a radio frequency engineer.
The top three skills for a digital design engineer include digital design, synthesis and verilog. The most important skills for a radio frequency engineer are test equipment, antenna, and system performance.
| Digital Design Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $108,993 | $88,301 |
| Hourly rate | $52.40 | $42.45 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 87,167 | 35,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A digital design engineer is responsible for developing technology solutions to create digital content and improve its marketing factors in various media platforms. Digital design engineers research the current trends in the technology industry to provide timely deliverables according to business requirements and client specifications. They also identify cost-efficient techniques and resources for outputs and ensure that the product maintains or exceeds high-quality standards. A digital design engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills to navigate different network platforms and assess the feasibility of every design.
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.
Digital design engineers and radio frequency engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Digital Design Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average salary | $108,993 | $88,301 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $143,000 | Between $67,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Cupertino, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a digital design engineer and a radio frequency engineer in terms of educational background:
| Digital Design Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between digital design engineers' and radio frequency engineers' demographics:
| Digital Design Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 19.9% White, 60.2% 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% |