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The differences between electrical test engineers and senior field 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 test engineer and a senior field engineer. Additionally, a senior field engineer has an average salary of $97,104, 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 a senior field engineer are RF, technical support, and excellent interpersonal.
| Electrical Test Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $74,723 | $97,104 |
| Hourly rate | $35.92 | $46.68 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 69,793 | 86,767 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A senior field engineer is in charge of overseeing and providing technical support on-site, helping operations run smoothly and efficiently. Among their responsibilities include performing installations and upgrades, performing research and analysis, managing staff, producing progress reports, and conducting inspections, ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. They must also perform regular maintenance checks on equipment, performing corrective repairs and adjustments when necessary. Furthermore, as a senior field engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior engineers while implementing the site's safety policies and regulations.
Electrical test engineers and senior field engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Test Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Average salary | $74,723 | $97,104 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $98,000 | Between $67,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between an electrical test engineer and a senior field engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Test Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electrical test engineers' and senior field engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Test Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6% | Male, 95.1% Female, 4.9% |
| 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, 11.5% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |