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Electrical systems designer vs instrumentation engineer

The differences between electrical systems designers and instrumentation 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 systems designer and an instrumentation engineer. Additionally, an instrumentation engineer has an average salary of $88,783, which is higher than the $83,110 average annual salary of an electrical systems designer.

The top three skills for an electrical systems designer include autocad, PLC and electrical systems. The most important skills for an instrumentation engineer are PLC, autocad, and analyzers.

Electrical systems designer vs instrumentation engineer overview

Electrical Systems DesignerInstrumentation Engineer
Yearly salary$83,110$88,783
Hourly rate$39.96$42.68
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs126,50245,735
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

Electrical systems designer vs instrumentation engineer salary

Electrical systems designers and instrumentation engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Electrical Systems DesignerInstrumentation Engineer
Average salary$83,110$88,783
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $108,000Between $65,000 And $119,000
Highest paying City-Cupertino, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between electrical systems designer and instrumentation engineer education

There are a few differences between an electrical systems designer and an instrumentation engineer in terms of educational background:

Electrical Systems DesignerInstrumentation Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeMichigan Technological UniversityMichigan Technological University

Electrical systems designer vs instrumentation engineer demographics

Here are the differences between electrical systems designers' and instrumentation engineers' demographics:

Electrical Systems DesignerInstrumentation Engineer
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 94.4% Female, 5.6%Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 15.5% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between electrical systems designer and instrumentation engineer duties and responsibilities

Electrical systems designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead RF characterization efforts of implantable medical device in order to determine safety limit.
  • Utilize AutoCAD skills to layout and draw specific diagrams/drawings.
  • Conduct site inspection of systems and materials to verify their quality and adherence to NEC, NFPA.
  • Design in Solidworks and fabricate components.
  • Generate comprehensive reports for future PV system features and detail economics.
  • Created/Modify assembly drawings and relate drawings using AutoCad and other relate software.
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Instrumentation engineer example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate with senior electrical engineers and achieve hands-on experience on coal fire plant power generation and power transformers, circuit breakers.
  • Develop control systems using advance controllers like PLC and DCS to improve efficiency of the system, productivity and optimize operations.
  • Perform troubleshooting on HMI's.
  • Complete monthly safety training and adhere to all OSHA mandate regulations.
  • Generate and update wiring on wiring module of SPI and prepares panel strip reports.
  • Determine and prepare all system configurations, selection of suitable devices and prepare I/O summary.
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Electrical systems designer vs instrumentation engineer skills

Common electrical systems designer skills
  • Autocad, 20%
  • PLC, 11%
  • Electrical Systems, 10%
  • Electrical Design, 10%
  • Allen-Bradley, 7%
  • Electrical Equipment, 6%
Common instrumentation engineer skills
  • PLC, 8%
  • Autocad, 6%
  • Analyzers, 5%
  • Troubleshoot, 4%
  • Instrumentation Systems, 4%
  • CAD, 4%

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