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The differences between electrical engineering technicians and senior electrical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become an electrical engineering technician, becoming a senior electrical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior electrical engineer has an average salary of $109,315, which is higher than the $56,704 average annual salary of an electrical engineering technician.
The top three skills for an electrical engineering technician include test equipment, PLC and CAD. The most important skills for a senior electrical engineer are control systems, electrical equipment, and electrical systems.
| Electrical Engineering Technician | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $56,704 | $109,315 |
| Hourly rate | $27.26 | $52.56 |
| Growth rate | - | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 133,838 | 82,639 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 2 |
An electrical engineering technician is responsible for evaluating and designing electrical systems and improving the control equipment to support business functions and operations. Electrical engineering technicians assemble and install components by analyzing blueprints and schematics accurately. They also strategize cost-reduction techniques without compromising the quality standards, requiring them to negotiate with trusted suppliers and vendors for tools and materials needed for the production. An electrical engineering technician monitors the conceptualization of layout designs until the final output launch to ensure stability and prevent downtimes.
A senior electrical engineer is an individual who leads other engineers to review electrical design plans and analyze existing electrical systems. Senior electrical engineers must establish relationships with clients, vendors, and suppliers to ensure that projects are completed according to specifications. They create project budgets and produce working schedules and company regulations to make sure that a safe and positive working environment is achieved. Senior electrical engineers must be passionate about engineering development by attending electrical conferences and events.
Electrical engineering technicians and senior electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Engineering Technician | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $56,704 | $109,315 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $76,000 | Between $82,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | Walnut Creek, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Applied Materials | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electrical engineering technician and a senior electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Engineering Technician | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electrical engineering technicians' and senior electrical engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Engineering Technician | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 15.5% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |