Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between electronics test engineers and radio frequency 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 electronics test engineer and a radio frequency engineer. Additionally, a radio frequency engineer has an average salary of $88,301, which is higher than the $80,610 average annual salary of an electronics test engineer.
The top three skills for an electronics test engineer include RF, labview and C++. The most important skills for a radio frequency engineer are test equipment, antenna, and system performance.
| Electronics Test Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,610 | $88,301 |
| Hourly rate | $38.75 | $42.45 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 70,182 | 35,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An electronics test engineer tests plans for use on electronic products, components, and systems. As an electronics test engineer, you will be responsible for evaluating and testing these products to ensure their quality. This role will require you to perform other tasks that include developing digital test patterns for mix signal testing and ASIC, developing procedures and test plans for electronic components and systems, and writing instructions for system assembly. You will also be responsible for evaluating the performance of electronic systems and providing recommendations for improvements.
A radio frequency engineer, also known as RF engineer, specializes in designing and developing communication systems using radio waves. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around creating networks and systems and testing equipment. They make sure that equipment is up to high standards by traveling to different areas as needed, troubleshooting issues to identify the root of problems and performing corrective measures required. Furthermore, a radio frequency engineer must continuously optimize equipment quality and ensure efficiency while adhering to the laws and regulations.
Electronics test engineers and radio frequency engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electronics Test Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average salary | $80,610 | $88,301 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $107,000 | Between $67,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Clara, CA | Cupertino, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Synaptics | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electronics test engineer and a radio frequency engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electronics Test Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between electronics test engineers' and radio frequency engineers' demographics:
| Electronics Test Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 20.7% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |