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The differences between pcb designers and control systems 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 control systems engineer. Additionally, a control systems engineer has an average salary of $92,727, 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 control systems engineer are PLC, HMI, and C++.
| PCB Designer | Control Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $74,841 | $92,727 |
| Hourly rate | $35.98 | $44.58 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 72,971 | 133,220 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| 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.
Control systems engineers are interdisciplinary engineers managing the company's control systems. They are expected to be familiar with different engineering disciplines such as mechanical, industrial, and computer science, among others. They are responsible for designing systems based on the company's requirements. Control systems engineers must conduct feasibility studies to ensure that the company's requirements can be met. They are also responsible for developing the systems, creating prototypes, and testing. They test whether the control systems produce desired results. After testing, control systems engineers implement the system and conduct routine maintenance checks.
Pcb designers and control systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| PCB Designer | Control Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $74,841 | $92,727 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $116,000 | Between $72,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a pcb designer and a control systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| PCB Designer | Control Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between pcb designers' and control systems engineers' demographics:
| PCB Designer | Control Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6% | Male, 90.5% Female, 9.5% |
| 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, 5.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 15.4% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |