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The differences between junior electrical engineers and senior 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 senior engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior engineer has an average salary of $108,743, 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 senior engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Junior Electrical Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $68,365 | $108,743 |
| Hourly rate | $32.87 | $52.28 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 65,165 | 343,200 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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 senior engineer is responsible for overseeing all operations within a designated area. With years of experience and expertise, a senior engineer may take charge of establishing goals, deadlines, and budgets for a particular project. They must devise and implement strategies that would improve the quality of workflow and deliver significant results. Furthermore, a senior manager must also supervise a team of skilled engineers, leading them in the joint effort to reach the company's vision and mission, all while adhering to the safety standards and regulations.
Junior electrical engineers and senior engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Electrical Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Average salary | $68,365 | $108,743 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $95,000 | Between $82,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | Foster City, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Roku |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a junior electrical engineer and a senior engineer in terms of educational background:
| Junior Electrical Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between junior electrical engineers' and senior engineers' demographics:
| Junior Electrical Engineer | Senior Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.2% Female, 10.8% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.1% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |