Pcb designer vs circuit design engineer

The differences between pcb designers and circuit design 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 pcb designer and a circuit design engineer. Additionally, a circuit design engineer has an average salary of $107,694, which is higher than the $74,841 average annual salary of a pcb designer.

The top three skills for a pcb designer include RF, DFM and pcb layout. The most important skills for a circuit design engineer are circuit design, CMOS, and RF.

Pcb designer vs circuit design engineer overview

	PCB Designer	Circuit Design Engineer
Yearly salary	$74,841	$107,694
Hourly rate	$35.98	$51.78
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	72,971	70,906
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	6	6

What does a pcb designer do?

PCB designers are professionals who use computer software programs to design printed circuit boards (PCBs), an electronic circuit that supports electronic components such as transistors, diodes, and capacitors. These designers must design and implement various circuit boards and perform revisions to apply changes that are based on the specifications of customers and engineers. They need to collaborate with the companies that fabricate and assemble PCBs to discuss the quality, cost-effective, and timely deliveries of PCBs. PCB designers must also use AutoCAD software to design schematics for the PCB systems.

What does a circuit design engineer do?

A circuit design engineer specializes in designing and developing electrical components and circuits in devices and machinery. Among their responsibilities include identifying the needs of every project, developing strategies to attain optimal quality, developing diagrams and test structures, troubleshooting, and repairing issues. They must also perform regular maintenance checks on existing systems and perform upgrades and corrective measures as needed. Moreover, a circuit design engineer typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Pcb designer vs circuit design engineer salary

Pcb designers and circuit design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	PCB Designer	Circuit Design Engineer
Average salary	$74,841	$107,694
Salary range	Between $48,000 And $116,000	Between $84,000 And $137,000
Highest paying City	Berkeley, CA	Federal Way, WA
Highest paying state	Rhode Island	Rhode Island
Best paying company	Apple	Apple
Best paying industry	Telecommunication	Technology

Differences between pcb designer and circuit design engineer education

There are a few differences between a pcb designer and a circuit design engineer in terms of educational background:

	PCB Designer	Circuit Design Engineer
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Northeastern University	Northeastern University

Pcb designer vs circuit design engineer demographics

Here are the differences between pcb designers' and circuit design engineers' demographics:

	PCB Designer	Circuit Design Engineer
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6%	Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.6% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 19.9% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between pcb designer and circuit design engineer duties and responsibilities

Pcb designer example responsibilities.

Control and manage the testing documentation of magnetics and mechanical documents using custom small scale PDM system base on windows files.
Create training material, design standards and databases for component information using IPC, OrCAD CIS for MWD and LWD systems.
Verify with contract manufacturer that PCB assembly meets DFM & DFT guidelines.
Collaborate with local, national and international telecommunication providers to supply T1, DS3, OCN, E1 and Ethernet connectivity.
Develop software and HMI programs.
Experience with BGA, micro BGA packaging.

Circuit design engineer example responsibilities.

Lead cross-site LVR task force to get full set of schematics match to functional target RTL model.
Process orders for VPN long distance service and manage the VPN dial plan to ensure no duplications.
Manage client order request generate from sales, provisioning and designing data, voice and IP network services.
Size transistors to reduce RC time constant in dynamic flip-flops and to achieve equivalent performance in high frequency.
Lead a small design team to deliver a 90 nm LP 125 MHz medium-size Gigabit Ethernet PHY DSP.
Manage a team that include hardware engineers, software engineers, and verifications engineers to evaluate the McORE 200 microprocessor.

Pcb designer vs circuit design engineer skills

Common pcb designer skills

RF, 10%
DFM, 7%
PCB Layout, 6%
Schematic Capture, 6%
IPC Standards, 4%
Assembly Drawings, 4%

Common circuit design engineer skills

Circuit Design, 14%
CMOS, 6%
RF, 6%
Verilog, 5%
CAD, 4%
FPGA, 4%

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PCB Designer vs Circuit Design Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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