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The differences between engineering specialists 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 engineering specialist, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $91,767 average annual salary of an engineering specialist.
The top three skills for an engineering specialist include keyword research, google analytics and digital marketing. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Engineering Specialist | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $91,767 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $44.12 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 74,442 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
The duties of an engineering specialist depend on their line of work or industry of employment. As a specialist, their responsibilities typically revolve around utilizing their expertise by designing and developing various systems to improve products and operations, and participate in planning and devising strategies for optimal production performance. They must also identify areas needing improvement, conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure the safety and efficiency of facilities, and collaborate with other engineers as needed. Furthermore, there are instances where they have to address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and effectively.
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.
Engineering specialists and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineering Specialist | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $91,767 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $142,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Enbridge | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an engineering specialist and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Engineering Specialist | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between engineering specialists' and engineers' demographics:
| Engineering Specialist | Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.5% Female, 20.5% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 10.3% White, 60.5% 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 | 7% | 5% |