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The differences between energy efficiency engineers and electrical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an energy efficiency engineer, becoming an electrical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an energy efficiency engineer has an average salary of $87,691, which is higher than the $81,026 average annual salary of an electrical engineer.
The top three skills for an energy efficiency engineer include HVAC, energy efficiency and data analysis. The most important skills for an electrical engineer are autocad, electrical systems, and UL.
| Energy Efficiency Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,691 | $81,026 |
| Hourly rate | $42.16 | $38.95 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 4,182 | 68,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Energy Efficiency Engineer conducts audits to inspect, survey, model, and analyze the energy flows in existing buildings, whether commercial, residential, or industrial. These engineers apply engineering principles to develop energy distribution systems that operate efficiently. They analyze energy and make recommendations to reduce energy usage efficiently. An energy efficiency engineer must understand energy use, the ability to collect data and analyze it, develop business cases for energy efficiency projects, the ability to integrate energy, have good communication, and a sense of project planning and management.
Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and developing new electrical systems, solving issues, and testing equipment. They work on various technologies, including telecommunication systems, satellite communications, and electrical power stations. Electrical engineers study and apply the mathematics and physics of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity to small and large-scale electrical systems to transmit energy and process information. They often work with all types of electronic devices, such as supercomputers and power transmission. They also work in the emerging field of microelectronics.
Energy efficiency engineers and electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Energy Efficiency Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,691 | $81,026 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $124,000 | Between $59,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Watertown Town, MA | Redmond, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Technology |
There are a few differences between an energy efficiency engineer and an electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Energy Efficiency Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Duke University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between energy efficiency engineers' and electrical engineers' demographics:
| Energy Efficiency Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 18.8% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 16.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |