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The differences between electrical 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 engineer and a senior field engineer. Additionally, a senior field engineer has an average salary of $97,104, 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 senior field engineer are RF, technical support, and excellent interpersonal.
| Electrical Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $81,026 | $97,104 |
| Hourly rate | $38.95 | $46.68 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 68,536 | 86,767 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| 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.
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 engineers and senior field engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Average salary | $81,026 | $97,104 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $109,000 | Between $67,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redmond, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between an electrical engineer and a senior field engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | 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 engineers' and senior field engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% | Male, 95.1% Female, 4.9% |
| 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, 4.9% 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% |