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The differences between lead controls engineers and cost engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a lead controls engineer and a cost engineer. Additionally, a lead controls engineer has an average salary of $99,296, which is higher than the $87,901 average annual salary of a cost engineer.
The top three skills for a lead controls engineer include C++, PLC and technical support. The most important skills for a cost engineer are project management, cost analysis, and construction management.
| Lead Controls Engineer | Cost Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,296 | $87,901 |
| Hourly rate | $47.74 | $42.26 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 57,348 | 65,278 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A Control Engineer is responsible for the design, development, and management of control dynamic systems in an aircraft or machinery company. They inspect and monitor all types of equipment and ensure all processes are running correctly and safely. Their role is to design a control panel and involves other engineers who operate and implement the said system. They also teach them how the procedure goes and how to deal with the possible problem that can encounter. Other duties include supervising the procurement of ICT equipment, installation, and meeting deadlines for the needed repair.
A cost engineer is responsible for projecting cost and expenses reports for the production process, identify and mitigate risks, and develop strategic techniques to reduce the excessive financial loss for project buildings. Cost engineers conduct data and statistical analysis to measure time deliverables and quality checks to ensure profitability and adherence to business objectives. They research and negotiate materials from trusted suppliers and vendors with high-quality products that would meet construction designs and client specifications.
Lead controls engineers and cost engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Controls Engineer | Cost Engineer | |
| Average salary | $99,296 | $87,901 |
| Salary range | Between $79,000 And $123,000 | Between $64,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Antonio, TX | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Rivian | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Energy |
There are a few differences between a lead controls engineer and a cost engineer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Controls Engineer | Cost Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between lead controls engineers' and cost engineers' demographics:
| Lead Controls Engineer | Cost Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% | Male, 74.1% Female, 25.9% |
| 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, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |