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The differences between field electrical engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a field electrical engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $86,347 average annual salary of a field electrical engineer.
The top three skills for a field electrical engineer include electrical systems, oil gas and control systems. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Field Electrical Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $86,347 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $41.51 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 97,684 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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.
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.
Field electrical engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field Electrical Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $86,347 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $111,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Vancouver, WA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a field electrical engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Field Electrical Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between field electrical engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Field Electrical Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| 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, 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 | 6% | 5% |