Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between energy 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 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 $86,305 average annual salary of an energy engineer.
The top three skills for an energy engineer include HVAC, renewable energy and sustainability. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Energy Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $86,305 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $41.49 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 16,765 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
An energy engineer is an individual who is involved with the production of energy using natural resources as well as renewable or sustainable sources of energy. Energy engineers are required to research new methods and techniques to extract energy from scarce natural resources. They must design and test machinery used in extracting energy and develop ways of improving the existing processes. Energy engineers are also required to have an excellent understanding of statutory and regulatory requirements about energy use and sustainability concerns.
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 engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Energy Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $86,305 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $120,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | Arizona | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an energy engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Energy Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between energy engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Energy Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.7% Female, 14.3% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.7% Asian, 19.7% White, 60.3% 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% |