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The differences between electrical engineers and electrical supervisors 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 an electrical supervisor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an electrical supervisor has an average salary of $90,972, 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 an electrical supervisor are electrical systems, PLC, and electrical equipment.
| Electrical Engineer | Electrical Supervisor | |
| Yearly salary | $81,026 | $90,972 |
| Hourly rate | $38.95 | $43.74 |
| Growth rate | 3% | - |
| Number of jobs | 68,536 | 33,839 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 45 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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.
The electrical supervisor oversees electricians' performance, training them for the repair and maintenance of equipment. They are responsible for enhancing their skills to create and design electrical operating systems in order to prevent malfunctions causing electric short circuits or shock. They also initiate the monitoring of electrical equipment. They are to help electricians install electrical equipment in establishments and homes, following standard safety protocols imposed by the state. When a defect is observed, they can quickly troubleshoot and start repair.
Electrical engineers and electrical supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Engineer | Electrical Supervisor | |
| Average salary | $81,026 | $90,972 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $109,000 | Between $66,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redmond, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Apple | Micron Technology |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between an electrical engineer and an electrical supervisor in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Engineer | Electrical Supervisor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between electrical engineers' and electrical supervisors' demographics:
| Electrical Engineer | Electrical Supervisor | |
| Average age | 45 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| 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, 8.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 4% |