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The differences between electrical engineering project managers and electrical 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 engineering project manager and an electrical engineer. Additionally, an electrical engineering project manager has an average salary of $87,900, which is higher than the $81,026 average annual salary of an electrical engineer.
The top three skills for an electrical engineering project manager include electrical engineering, project management and autocad. The most important skills for an electrical engineer are autocad, electrical systems, and UL.
| Electrical Engineering Project Manager | Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,900 | $81,026 |
| Hourly rate | $42.26 | $38.95 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 131,380 | 68,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An electrical engineering project manager spearheads and manages engineering projects, ensuring operations adhere to goals and budgets. Part of their job is to participate in identifying and meeting project requirements, set daily objectives and guidelines, manage project teams, and monitor processes, addressing and resolving issues should there be any. They may also liaise and negotiate with external parties, building positive relationships in the process. Moreover, being an electrical engineering project manager, they have the responsibility to lead and encourage the workforce to reach project goals while implementing company policies and standards.
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.
Electrical engineering project managers and electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Engineering Project Manager | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,900 | $81,026 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $114,000 | Between $59,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Livermore, CA | Redmond, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Calpine | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electrical engineering project manager and an electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Engineering Project Manager | Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electrical engineering project managers' and electrical engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Engineering Project Manager | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |