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The differences between electrical controls engineers and senior field engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an electrical controls engineer and a senior field engineer. Additionally, a senior field engineer has an average salary of $97,104, which is higher than the $82,681 average annual salary of an electrical controls engineer.
The top three skills for an electrical controls engineer include HMI, PLC and allen-bradley. The most important skills for a senior field engineer are RF, technical support, and excellent interpersonal.
| Electrical Controls Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $82,681 | $97,104 |
| Hourly rate | $39.75 | $46.68 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 54,037 | 86,767 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An electrical controls engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and optimal performance of the organization's electrical tools and equipment, usually in manufacturing and warehouse settings. Electrical controls engineers use their excellent analytical and statistical skills to analyze operational processes and suggest production improvement techniques maximize productivity and reduce service delays. They conduct preventive maintenance on the equipment and machinery, including network and system configuration, to increase efficiency and accuracy. An electrical controls engineer maintains operational reports, including equipment and machinery instructional manuals for reference.
A senior field engineer is in charge of overseeing and providing technical support on-site, helping operations run smoothly and efficiently. Among their responsibilities include performing installations and upgrades, performing research and analysis, managing staff, producing progress reports, and conducting inspections, ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. They must also perform regular maintenance checks on equipment, performing corrective repairs and adjustments when necessary. Furthermore, as a senior field engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior engineers while implementing the site's safety policies and regulations.
Electrical controls engineers and senior field engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Controls Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Average salary | $82,681 | $97,104 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $108,000 | Between $67,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Tallgrass Energy | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between an electrical controls engineer and a senior field engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Controls Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electrical controls engineers' and senior field engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Controls Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% | Male, 95.1% Female, 4.9% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |