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The differences between electrical engineers lead and principal 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 lead, becoming a principal engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a principal engineer has an average salary of $130,213, which is higher than the $111,251 average annual salary of an electrical engineer lead.
The top three skills for an electrical engineer lead include electrical engineering, autocad and engineering design. The most important skills for a principal engineer are java, architecture, and python.
| Electrical Engineer Lead | Principal Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $111,251 | $130,213 |
| Hourly rate | $53.49 | $62.60 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 82,196 | 312,683 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
An electrical engineer lead is an engineering professional who works with clients and internal engineers to establish project requirements and work on multiple electrical projects. Electrical engineer leads provide the cost estimation of electrical projects and prepare budget proposals as well as assign personnel with the capabilities required to complete the assigned tasks. They are required to review the calculation methods to ensure that they comply with all regulatory and project requirements. Electrical engineer leads must also accurately check the electrical design calculations for electrical loads, short circuit, and voltage drop using standard electrical engineering software.
A principal engineer is responsible for monitoring the overall design phase of the construction process, including coordinating with the client for progress and updates, as well as performing adjustments as needed based on clients' specifications and requirements. Principal engineers also inspect the materials and resources used to ensure that the project stays within the budget goals and set timeframe. They should have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in preparing reports and training new staff.
Electrical engineers lead and principal engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Engineer Lead | Principal Engineer | |
| Average salary | $111,251 | $130,213 |
| Salary range | Between $83,000 And $148,000 | Between $95,000 And $177,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Grubhub | |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between an electrical engineer lead and a principal engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Engineer Lead | Principal Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electrical engineers lead' and principal engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Engineer Lead | Principal Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |