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The differences between electrical 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 an electrical engineer and an electrical designer. Additionally, an electrical engineer has an average salary of $81,026, which is higher than the $64,930 average annual salary of an electrical designer.
The top three skills for an electrical engineer include autocad, electrical systems and UL. The most important skills for an electrical designer are revit, electrical design, and autocad electrical.
| Electrical Engineer | Electrical Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $81,026 | $64,930 |
| Hourly rate | $38.95 | $31.22 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 68,536 | 82,332 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Associate Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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.
Electrical engineers and electrical designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Engineer | Electrical Designer | |
| Average salary | $81,026 | $64,930 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $109,000 | Between $47,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redmond, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Amd |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an electrical engineer and an electrical designer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Engineer | Electrical Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Associate Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electrical engineers' and electrical designers' demographics:
| Electrical Engineer | Electrical Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| 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, 11.2% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |