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The differences between electrical systems engineers and senior 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 systems engineer, becoming a senior engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior engineer has an average salary of $108,743, which is higher than the $86,969 average annual salary of an electrical systems engineer.
The top three skills for an electrical systems engineer include electrical engineering, electrical systems and system design. The most important skills for a senior engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Electrical Systems Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $86,969 | $108,743 |
| Hourly rate | $41.81 | $52.28 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 149,053 | 343,200 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
Electrical Systems Engineers have licensed engineers who are usually employed in companies involved in power generating machines and activities. These companies are usually providers for buildings, train systems, and automobiles, among others. The engineer designs power lines and machinations to generate power. They ensure that power is properly distributed throughout the system. They identify risks involving short circuits and the like. They would then look for ways to mitigate these risks and apply the necessary controls. Electrical Systems Engineers should have strong analytical skills and quick decision-making skills.
A senior engineer is responsible for overseeing all operations within a designated area. With years of experience and expertise, a senior engineer may take charge of establishing goals, deadlines, and budgets for a particular project. They must devise and implement strategies that would improve the quality of workflow and deliver significant results. Furthermore, a senior manager must also supervise a team of skilled engineers, leading them in the joint effort to reach the company's vision and mission, all while adhering to the safety standards and regulations.
Electrical systems engineers and senior engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Systems Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Average salary | $86,969 | $108,743 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $113,000 | Between $82,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Roku |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Start-up |
There are a few differences between an electrical systems engineer and a senior engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Systems Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electrical systems engineers' and senior engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Systems Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.1% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |