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Distribution engineer vs electrical designer

The differences between distribution engineers and electrical designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a distribution engineer and an electrical designer. Additionally, a distribution engineer has an average salary of $77,713, which is higher than the $64,930 average annual salary of an electrical designer.

The top three skills for a distribution engineer include aided design, GIS and CAD. The most important skills for an electrical designer are revit, electrical design, and autocad electrical.

Distribution engineer vs electrical designer overview

Distribution EngineerElectrical Designer
Yearly salary$77,713$64,930
Hourly rate$37.36$31.22
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs56,77982,332
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Associate Degree, 47%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

What does a distribution engineer do?

The duties of a distribution engineer depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around installing and repairing power distribution systems, understanding blueprints, devising strategies to optimize performances, coordinating with different engineers and technicians, and developing new power systems. They must also perform regular maintenance checks to ensure the efficiency and quality of distribution systems. Furthermore, as an engineer, it is essential to implement the company's policies and regulations to maintain a safe and productive work environment for everyone.

What does an electrical designer do?

An electrical designer designs and develops electrical circuit and system layouts for electric power distribution. The responsibilities of an electrical designer include assembling electrical panels and leading a team of document control personnel in-charged to identify and organize facility maintenance drawings. The position requires good initiative, writing, speaking, and mathematical skills to accomplish such responsibilities. The job's education requirements include possessing a college degree in electrical engineering, design, or a related field.

Distribution engineer vs electrical designer salary

Distribution engineers and electrical designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Distribution EngineerElectrical Designer
Average salary$77,713$64,930
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $129,000Between $47,000 And $89,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleAmd
Best paying industryEnergyManufacturing

Differences between distribution engineer and electrical designer education

There are a few differences between a distribution engineer and an electrical designer in terms of educational background:

Distribution EngineerElectrical Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Associate Degree, 47%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeStanford UniversityMichigan Technological University

Distribution engineer vs electrical designer demographics

Here are the differences between distribution engineers' and electrical designers' demographics:

Distribution EngineerElectrical Designer
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 88.2% Female, 11.8%Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between distribution engineer and electrical designer duties and responsibilities

Distribution engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage general facilities including commissioning, building management systems, and calibrations for GMP area for tablets production operation.
  • Provide power flow, protection, NEC, ANSI, UL code applications, trouble shooting of electrical system outages.
  • Develop industrial standards and submit same to ANSI.
  • Assist when need in updating construction designs in GIS.
  • Use GIS base software to update and design field work.
  • Develop the HMI system that are implemented by a third party.
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Electrical designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage database for PDF drawings and other electronic files.
  • Design control systems to NFPA, UL, and CE specifications to comply with country-specific standards.
  • Work conduct using PDMS, NavisWorks and AutoCAD.
  • Used INTOOLS to input instrument tags into index, customize reports & import data from PDMS into INTOOLS.
  • Integrate electrical & electronic designs into custom automation equipment using 2D & 3D design software (AutoCAD & SolidWorks).
  • Convert various units to DCS for ExxonMobil.
  • Show more

Distribution engineer vs electrical designer skills

Common distribution engineer skills
  • Aided Design, 20%
  • GIS, 18%
  • CAD, 15%
  • NESC, 14%
  • Voltage Drop, 7%
  • UG, 5%
Common electrical designer skills
  • Revit, 14%
  • Electrical Design, 11%
  • Autocad Electrical, 5%
  • UL, 5%
  • Electrical Systems, 5%
  • Electrical Schematics, 4%

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