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The differences between electrical project engineers and project controls 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 project engineer, becoming a project controls engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a project controls engineer has an average salary of $86,685, which is higher than the $84,342 average annual salary of an electrical project engineer.
The top three skills for an electrical project engineer include project management, autocad and PLC. The most important skills for a project controls engineer are project controls, project management, and construction management.
| Electrical Project Engineer | Project Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $84,342 | $86,685 |
| Hourly rate | $40.55 | $41.68 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 67,802 | 38,974 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
Electrical Project Engineers have licensed engineers involved in a project which specifically works on electrical or electricity-related concerns. They design the electrical systems that are needed for the success of the project. They draw up these systems using software and identify the materials needed to create these. They would then develop these systems by creating them using the materials and test if their design is working. Once they validate the design works and address the project's needs, electrical project engineers would work on controlling, maintaining, and repairing these systems as needed.
A Project Controls Engineer creates project cost reports and progress charts. These professionals interpret the company contract and deal with the existing cost control database and financial risk. Project Controls Engineers reconcile and organize the project cost information with the clients' status reports. Also, they evaluate cash flow reports and project cost reports prepared by CMA.
Electrical project engineers and project controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Project Engineer | Project Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $84,342 | $86,685 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $109,000 | Between $63,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Amazon | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Energy |
There are a few differences between an electrical project engineer and a project controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Project Engineer | Project Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between electrical project engineers' and project controls engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Project Engineer | Project Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| 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, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |