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The differences between electrical engineers and controls engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an electrical engineer, becoming a controls engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a controls engineer has an average salary of $84,532, which is higher than the $81,026 average annual salary of an electrical engineer.
The top three skills for an electrical engineer include autocad, electrical systems and UL. The most important skills for a controls engineer are C++, troubleshoot, and UL.
| Electrical Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $81,026 | $84,532 |
| Hourly rate | $38.95 | $40.64 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 68,536 | 50,203 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and developing new electrical systems, solving issues, and testing equipment. They work on various technologies, including telecommunication systems, satellite communications, and electrical power stations. Electrical engineers study and apply the mathematics and physics of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity to small and large-scale electrical systems to transmit energy and process information. They often work with all types of electronic devices, such as supercomputers and power transmission. They also work in the emerging field of microelectronics.
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.
Electrical engineers and controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $81,026 | $84,532 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $109,000 | Between $64,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redmond, WA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an electrical engineer and a controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between electrical engineers' and controls engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Engineer | Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% | Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 16.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |