Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between electro optical engineers and circuit design engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an electro optical engineer and a circuit design engineer. Additionally, a circuit design engineer has an average salary of $107,694, which is higher than the $94,958 average annual salary of an electro optical engineer.
The top three skills for an electro optical engineer include system performance, C++ and data analysis. The most important skills for a circuit design engineer are circuit design, CMOS, and RF.
| Electro Optical Engineer | Circuit Design Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $94,958 | $107,694 |
| Hourly rate | $45.65 | $51.78 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 12,443 | 70,906 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An electro-optical engineer performs engineering tasks related to electronic and optical devices, creates optical designs, and assists users of laser optics. The essential skills that an electro-optical engineer should possess to perform his/her or her responsibilities include good mathematical and speaking skills and the ability to concentrate to create complex electrical systems and electronic components and products. The education requirements for the job include a college degree in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field.
A circuit design engineer specializes in designing and developing electrical components and circuits in devices and machinery. Among their responsibilities include identifying the needs of every project, developing strategies to attain optimal quality, developing diagrams and test structures, troubleshooting, and repairing issues. They must also perform regular maintenance checks on existing systems and perform upgrades and corrective measures as needed. Moreover, a circuit design engineer typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Electro optical engineers and circuit design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electro Optical Engineer | Circuit Design Engineer | |
| Average salary | $94,958 | $107,694 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $132,000 | Between $84,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lynnwood, WA | Federal Way, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | 3M Company | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electro optical engineer and a circuit design engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electro Optical Engineer | Circuit Design Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between electro optical engineers' and circuit design engineers' demographics:
| Electro Optical Engineer | Circuit Design Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 15.7% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 19.9% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |