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The differences between electrical specialists and 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 specialist, becoming an electrical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an electrical engineer has an average salary of $81,026, which is higher than the $75,131 average annual salary of an electrical specialist.
The top three skills for an electrical specialist include electrical equipment, PLC and electrical systems. The most important skills for an electrical engineer are autocad, electrical systems, and UL.
| Electrical Specialist | Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $75,131 | $81,026 |
| Hourly rate | $36.12 | $38.95 |
| Growth rate | - | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 25,948 | 68,536 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 2 |
Electrical specialists use tools and construction documents to install spaces and pathways for installing low voltage wiring. They test, terminate, and install fiber optic and wire cables using special tools and procedures. Besides maintaining, troubleshooting, testing, and installing cable systems using special tools and construction documents, electrical specialists also use construction documents and unique blueprints to install data systems. Also, they install voice systems, video systems, sound distribution systems, and communication systems. Moreover, electrical specialists perform other assigned building maintenance tasks.
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 specialists and electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Specialist | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $75,131 | $81,026 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $104,000 | Between $59,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redmond, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Occidental Petroleum | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electrical specialist and an electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Specialist | Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | 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 specialists' and electrical engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Specialist | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| 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, 11.1% Asian, 16.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |