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The differences between engineering support specialists and engineering specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an engineering support specialist, becoming an engineering specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an engineering specialist has an average salary of $91,767, which is higher than the $70,461 average annual salary of an engineering support specialist.
The top three skills for an engineering support specialist include engineering support, CAD and data entry. The most important skills for an engineering specialist are keyword research, google analytics, and digital marketing.
| Engineering Support Specialist | Engineering Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $70,461 | $91,767 |
| Hourly rate | $33.88 | $44.12 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 159,095 | 74,442 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
An engineering support specialist's role is vital, especially as it relates to security and databases. They ensure that all technicalities of the project, be it for the support, maintenance, or machines' operation instructions, function well. They perform troubleshooting and system updating if needed. They can also recommend ways to improve the operation by reviewing existing programs and applying new upgrades as allowed and suitable for the system. They should report any malfunctions to personnel concerned.
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.
Engineering support specialists and engineering specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineering Support Specialist | Engineering Specialist | |
| Average salary | $70,461 | $91,767 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 And $104,000 | Between $59,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | California |
| Best paying company | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. | Enbridge |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between an engineering support specialist and an engineering specialist in terms of educational background:
| Engineering Support Specialist | Engineering Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between engineering support specialists' and engineering specialists' demographics:
| Engineering Support Specialist | Engineering Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.3% Female, 35.7% | Male, 79.5% Female, 20.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 11.5% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 7% |