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Microwave engineer vs communications engineer

The differences between microwave engineers and communications 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 microwave engineer and a communications engineer. Additionally, a microwave engineer has an average salary of $95,761, which is higher than the $83,540 average annual salary of a communications engineer.

The top three skills for a microwave engineer include RF, google earth and MATLAB. The most important skills for a communications engineer are RF, unified communications, and unity.

Microwave engineer vs communications engineer overview

Microwave EngineerCommunications Engineer
Yearly salary$95,761$83,540
Hourly rate$46.04$40.16
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs18,73071,942
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

Microwave engineer vs communications engineer salary

Microwave engineers and communications engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Microwave EngineerCommunications Engineer
Average salary$95,761$83,540
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $142,000Between $62,000 And $111,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CAPalo Alto, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyRenesas ElectronicsShearman & Sterling
Best paying industryInternetFinance

Differences between microwave engineer and communications engineer education

There are a few differences between a microwave engineer and a communications engineer in terms of educational background:

Microwave EngineerCommunications Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityStanford University

Microwave engineer vs communications engineer demographics

Here are the differences between microwave engineers' and communications engineers' demographics:

Microwave EngineerCommunications Engineer
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 94.7% Female, 5.3%Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between microwave engineer and communications engineer duties and responsibilities

Microwave engineer example responsibilities.

  • Perform detailed analysis to determine antenna size, radio equipment and frequency band to achieve maximum system performance.
  • Design of a 138kV transmission line using PLS CADD and LiDar survey points.
  • Design 5 RF PC boards in 4 months, as well as supporting documents and schematics.
  • Upgrade as well as configured the CDMA sets for new software version using ZTE PST and QPST.
  • Prepare monthly and weekly status reports for execute activities in ZAIN SD network within the assigned node.
  • Assist in design and test of antennas for airborne and groundbase EW systems including broadband, low sidelobe components.
  • Show more

Communications engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage project to migrate over to the new manage firewall system.
  • Manage Internet connectivity using redundant Cisco routers and manage Nokia firewalls.
  • Manage multiple construction and service provisioning projects within several service centers in south-east Michigan.
  • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
  • Develop DFMEA's, PPAP'd parts and support all builds.
  • Design and prepare pre-production drawings using CAD-CATIA to customer-base specifications, maintaining PPAP requirements.
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Microwave engineer vs communications engineer skills

Common microwave engineer skills
  • RF, 33%
  • Google Earth, 7%
  • MATLAB, 7%
  • Network Design, 7%
  • Antenna, 5%
  • MW, 4%
Common communications engineer skills
  • RF, 7%
  • Unified Communications, 6%
  • Unity, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • VoIP, 5%
  • IP, 4%

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