Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between pcb designers 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 pcb designer and a communications engineer. Additionally, a communications engineer has an average salary of $83,540, 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 communications engineer are RF, unified communications, and unity.
| PCB Designer | Communications Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $74,841 | $83,540 |
| Hourly rate | $35.98 | $40.16 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 72,971 | 71,942 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
The duties of a communications engineer depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Their responsibilities typically revolve around designing and developing new systems to optimize operations, performing research and assessments to identify company needs, determining the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems, and providing solutions on issues and concerns. Furthermore, as a communications engineer, it is essential to perform regular maintenance checks to ensure a safe and productive work environment, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Pcb designers and communications engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| PCB Designer | Communications Engineer | |
| Average salary | $74,841 | $83,540 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $116,000 | Between $62,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Shearman & Sterling |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Finance |
There are a few differences between a pcb designer and a communications engineer in terms of educational background:
| PCB Designer | Communications Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between pcb designers' and communications engineers' demographics:
| PCB Designer | Communications Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6% | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% |
| 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, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |