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The differences between field electrical engineers and project 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 a project engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a field electrical engineer has an average salary of $86,347, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.
The top three skills for a field electrical engineer include electrical systems, oil gas and control systems. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.
| Field Electrical Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $86,347 | $75,050 |
| Hourly rate | $41.51 | $36.08 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 97,684 | 176,689 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| 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.
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
Field electrical engineers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field Electrical Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $86,347 | $75,050 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $111,000 | Between $55,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Vancouver, WA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Washington |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a field electrical engineer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Field Electrical Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between field electrical engineers' and project engineers' demographics:
| Field Electrical Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| 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, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |