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The differences between electrical test engineers and 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 engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, 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 engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Electrical Test Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $74,723 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $35.92 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 69,793 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| 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.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Electrical test engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Test Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $74,723 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $98,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Meta | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an electrical test engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Test Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electrical test engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Test Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| 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, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |