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The differences between pcb designers and senior controls 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 senior controls engineer. Additionally, a senior controls engineer has an average salary of $107,298, 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 senior controls engineer are control systems, HMI, and C++.
| PCB Designer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $74,841 | $107,298 |
| Hourly rate | $35.98 | $51.59 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 72,971 | 39,440 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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.
A senior controls engineer specializes in designing and developing control systems in various industries. Their responsibilities typically include identifying and understanding the company's needs, producing prototypes and test structures, gathering and analyzing data to identify areas needing improvement, implementing solutions in vulnerable areas, and providing technical support when necessary. Furthermore, as a senior controls engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior engineers, all while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
Pcb designers and senior controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| PCB Designer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $74,841 | $107,298 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $116,000 | Between $82,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Sagent Pharmaceuticals |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a pcb designer and a senior controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| PCB Designer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between pcb designers' and senior controls engineers' demographics:
| PCB Designer | Senior Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6% | Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4% |
| 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |