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The differences between electrical test engineers and electronics 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 test engineer, becoming an electronics engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an electronics engineer has an average salary of $93,985, which is higher than the $74,723 average annual salary of an electrical test engineer.
The top three skills for an electrical test engineer include data analysis, labview and C++. The most important skills for an electronics engineer are analog, RF, and power electronics.
| Electrical Test Engineer | Electronics Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $74,723 | $93,985 |
| Hourly rate | $35.92 | $45.19 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 69,793 | 83,870 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
An electrical test engineer specializes in developing test structures to ensure the quality and efficiency of electrical systems and equipment. Among their responsibilities include understanding and identifying the needs of electrical projects, troubleshooting errors, gathering and analyzing materials to find defects and inconsistencies, conducting tests and examinations, and analyzing test results. Moreover, an electrical test engineer must also study and identify the root of problems, recommending and implementing solutions while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
An electronics engineer specializes in designing and developing electronic components and systems, ensuring efficiency in all aspects. They are primarily responsible for conducting tests and maintenance for systems, identifying any faults or inconsistencies, and performing corrective measures right away. Moreover, an electronics engineer must coordinate with clients to consult them on their needs and meet with other skilled engineers to ensure optimal quality of equipment. An electronics engineer may also perform administrative tasks, mainly to produce progress reports and presentations, manage schedules, and craft instructional written materials for all electronic systems.
Electrical test engineers and electronics engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Test Engineer | Electronics Engineer | |
| Average salary | $74,723 | $93,985 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $98,000 | Between $68,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electrical test engineer and an electronics engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Test Engineer | Electronics Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between electrical test engineers' and electronics engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Test Engineer | Electronics Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6% | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 15.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |