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The differences between field test engineers and electrical engineers lead 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 test engineer and an electrical engineer lead. Additionally, an electrical engineer lead has an average salary of $111,251, which is higher than the $74,767 average annual salary of a field test engineer.
The top three skills for a field test engineer include field testing, test results and RF. The most important skills for an electrical engineer lead are electrical engineering, autocad, and engineering design.
| Field Test Engineer | Electrical Engineer Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $74,767 | $111,251 |
| Hourly rate | $35.95 | $53.49 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 97,199 | 82,196 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Field test engineers evaluate operational performances and recommend improvements if needed. Field test engineers develop standard procedures for field testing and log test results accurately for future reference. Part of their responsibilities is to perform root cause analysis to determine the reason for product failures and develop corrective actions. They document all corrective actions accurately, maintain testing equipment and supplies in good working condition, and collaborate with support engineers in troubleshooting and resolving problems.
An electrical engineer lead is an engineering professional who works with clients and internal engineers to establish project requirements and work on multiple electrical projects. Electrical engineer leads provide the cost estimation of electrical projects and prepare budget proposals as well as assign personnel with the capabilities required to complete the assigned tasks. They are required to review the calculation methods to ensure that they comply with all regulatory and project requirements. Electrical engineer leads must also accurately check the electrical design calculations for electrical loads, short circuit, and voltage drop using standard electrical engineering software.
Field test engineers and electrical engineers lead have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field Test Engineer | Electrical Engineer Lead | |
| Average salary | $74,767 | $111,251 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $96,000 | Between $83,000 And $148,000 |
| Highest paying City | Livermore, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Construction |
There are a few differences between a field test engineer and an electrical engineer lead in terms of educational background:
| Field Test Engineer | Electrical Engineer Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between field test engineers' and electrical engineers lead' demographics:
| Field Test Engineer | Electrical Engineer Lead | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% | Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 16.8% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |