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The differences between junior 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 junior electrical engineer, becoming a project engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a project engineer has an average salary of $75,050, which is higher than the $68,365 average annual salary of a junior electrical engineer.
The top three skills for a junior electrical engineer include revit, RF and C++. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.
| Junior Electrical Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $68,365 | $75,050 |
| Hourly rate | $32.87 | $36.08 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 65,165 | 176,689 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A junior electrical engineer specializes in designing and developing electrical systems, ensuring efficiency and safety. In a company setting, a junior electrical engineer typically follows the directives of managers or senior engineers, providing them with regular progress reports. They may also liaise with clients to identify their needs, produce prototypes and designs, coordinate with other technicians and engineers, and manage the workflow of projects and programs, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, a junior electrical engineer may also participate in training new members of the workforce, sharing their expertise and insights along the way.
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.
Junior electrical engineers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Electrical Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $68,365 | $75,050 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $95,000 | Between $55,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Foster City, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Energy |
There are a few differences between a junior electrical engineer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Junior Electrical Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | 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 junior electrical engineers' and project engineers' demographics:
| Junior Electrical Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.2% Female, 10.8% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 17.1% White, 62.1% 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% |