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The differences between electronics test engineers and test 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 test engineer, becoming a test engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an electronics test engineer has an average salary of $80,610, which is higher than the $79,832 average annual salary of a test engineer.
The top three skills for an electronics test engineer include RF, labview and C++. The most important skills for a test engineer are python, C++, and C #.
| Electronics Test Engineer | Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,610 | $79,832 |
| Hourly rate | $38.75 | $38.38 |
| Growth rate | 3% | - |
| Number of jobs | 70,182 | 228,974 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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.
Test engineers are professionals who observe and record the quality of products, which includes functionality, durability, speed, and safety. They are responsible for checking the materials and procedures thoroughly throughout the production cycle. It is their duty to run tests on different criteria to identify and fix technical issues. They analyze reactions to determine the causes of malfunctions and recommend potential improvements. Moreover, they test products before they are launched to ensure customers get high-quality and functional products.
Electronics test engineers and test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electronics Test Engineer | Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $80,610 | $79,832 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $107,000 | Between $60,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Clara, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Synaptics | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between an electronics test engineer and a test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electronics Test Engineer | Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between electronics test engineers' and test engineers' demographics:
| Electronics Test Engineer | Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7% | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 11% |