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The differences between engineering planners and senior staff 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 engineering planner, becoming a senior staff engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior staff engineer has an average salary of $136,031, which is higher than the $71,606 average annual salary of an engineering planner.
The top three skills for an engineering planner include metrics, engineering drawings and powerpoint. The most important skills for a senior staff engineer are python, java, and architecture.
| Engineering Planner | Senior Staff Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $71,606 | $136,031 |
| Hourly rate | $34.43 | $65.40 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 74,212 | 239,752 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
The engineering planner works together with other engineering staff involved in the project to design and work on the project's timeframe while also working on the work schedules of staff. They sometimes become the mediator between on-site engineers and office officials' communication. They keep records of daily and monthly project progress. On-site, they are responsible for observing any discrepancies and recording them for reporting. They work with managers and supervisors at the office to process communication to contractors and subcontractors and allocate budgets meticulously.
A senior staff engineer is responsible for supervising a team of engineers, chemists, software developers, or molecular biologists. His/Her or her responsibilities include generating Structured Query Language (SQL) performance audit checklist template, creating SQL data query routines and functions for data extraction, and working directly with stakeholders. The job requires strong mechanical, listening, and mathematical skills and proficiency in Python programming language and computer architecture and hardware. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, business, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
Engineering planners and senior staff engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineering Planner | Senior Staff Engineer | |
| Average salary | $71,606 | $136,031 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $103,000 | Between $95,000 And $194,000 |
| Highest paying City | Reston, VA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | California |
| Best paying company | Zoox | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between an engineering planner and a senior staff engineer in terms of educational background:
| Engineering Planner | Senior Staff Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | New York University | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona |
Here are the differences between engineering planners' and senior staff engineers' demographics:
| Engineering Planner | Senior Staff Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4% | Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 10.3% White, 69.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.8% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |