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The differences between energy engineers and project 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 a project engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an energy engineer has an average salary of $86,305, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.
The top three skills for an energy engineer include HVAC, renewable energy and sustainability. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.
| Energy Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $86,305 | $75,050 |
| Hourly rate | $41.49 | $36.08 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 16,765 | 176,689 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| 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.
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
Energy engineers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Energy Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $86,305 | $75,050 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $120,000 | Between $55,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | Arizona | Washington |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between an energy engineer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Energy Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between energy engineers' and project engineers' demographics:
| Energy Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.7% Female, 14.3% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| 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, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |