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The differences between energy efficiency engineers and 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 engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $87,691 average annual salary of an energy efficiency engineer.
The top three skills for an energy efficiency engineer include HVAC, energy efficiency and data analysis. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Energy Efficiency Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,691 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $42.16 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 4,182 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
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.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Energy efficiency engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Energy Efficiency Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,691 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $124,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Watertown Town, MA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an energy efficiency engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Energy Efficiency Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Duke University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between energy efficiency engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Energy Efficiency Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| 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, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |