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The differences between electronics design engineers and senior electrical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an electronics design engineer, becoming a senior electrical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior electrical engineer has an average salary of $109,315, which is higher than the $100,371 average annual salary of an electronics design engineer.
The top three skills for an electronics design engineer include analog, power electronics and PCB. The most important skills for a senior electrical engineer are control systems, electrical equipment, and electrical systems.
| Electronics Design Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $100,371 | $109,315 |
| Hourly rate | $48.26 | $52.56 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 101,965 | 82,639 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
An electronics design engineer is responsible for designing electronic materials and equipment to support various industrial operations and marketing processes. Electronics design engineers develop layouts according to business requirements and clients' specifications, including the budget limitations and timeframes. They also create reports of cost estimates and project feasibility, performing multiple diagnostic tests to identify inconsistencies and modifications before the final output deliverable. An electronics design engineer must have excellent mechanical and analytical skills, especially in handling design documentation and performing quality control procedures.
A senior electrical engineer is an individual who leads other engineers to review electrical design plans and analyze existing electrical systems. Senior electrical engineers must establish relationships with clients, vendors, and suppliers to ensure that projects are completed according to specifications. They create project budgets and produce working schedules and company regulations to make sure that a safe and positive working environment is achieved. Senior electrical engineers must be passionate about engineering development by attending electrical conferences and events.
Electronics design engineers and senior electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electronics Design Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $100,371 | $109,315 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $134,000 | Between $82,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electronics design engineer and a senior electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electronics Design Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between electronics design engineers' and senior electrical engineers' demographics:
| Electronics Design Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% | Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 15.5% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |