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The differences between field electrical engineers and electrical controls engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a field electrical engineer and an electrical controls engineer. Additionally, a field electrical engineer has an average salary of $86,347, which is higher than the $82,681 average annual salary of an electrical controls engineer.
The top three skills for a field electrical engineer include electrical systems, oil gas and control systems. The most important skills for an electrical controls engineer are HMI, PLC, and allen-bradley.
| Field Electrical Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $86,347 | $82,681 |
| Hourly rate | $41.51 | $39.75 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 97,684 | 54,037 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Buildings must be safe especially in term of wirings for electricity. This aspect is the main job of a field electrical engineer. Possessing enough mathematical, chemistry and physics knowledge, they work hand in hand with construction workers to develop safe and equitable electrical system of any building. They also test machines for any defect and design and develop new systems to further enhance safety. They have the necessary ability to solve any damage to equipment.
An electrical controls engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and optimal performance of the organization's electrical tools and equipment, usually in manufacturing and warehouse settings. Electrical controls engineers use their excellent analytical and statistical skills to analyze operational processes and suggest production improvement techniques maximize productivity and reduce service delays. They conduct preventive maintenance on the equipment and machinery, including network and system configuration, to increase efficiency and accuracy. An electrical controls engineer maintains operational reports, including equipment and machinery instructional manuals for reference.
Field electrical engineers and electrical controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field Electrical Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $86,347 | $82,681 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $111,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Vancouver, WA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Tallgrass Energy |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a field electrical engineer and an electrical controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Field Electrical Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between field electrical engineers' and electrical controls engineers' demographics:
| Field Electrical Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8% | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |