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The differences between principal design engineers and senior electrical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a principal design engineer, becoming a senior electrical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a principal design engineer has an average salary of $134,300, which is higher than the $109,315 average annual salary of a senior electrical engineer.
The top three skills for a principal design engineer include RF, principal design and CAD. The most important skills for a senior electrical engineer are control systems, electrical equipment, and electrical systems.
| Principal Design Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $134,300 | $109,315 |
| Hourly rate | $64.57 | $52.56 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 120,887 | 82,639 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A principal design engineer is responsible for designing and managing manufacturing automation, renewable and solar systems integration engineering projects, and energy reduction projects. You will oversee the project's design, estimate and secure materials, and manage schedules. Additionally, you will be responsible for drafting and executing construction contracts, monitor project status and progress, and conducting engineering research and investigations. You will also train new design engineers, guide other departments on engineering matters, and keeping up-to-date with the latest industry trends.
A senior electrical engineer is an individual who leads other engineers to review electrical design plans and analyze existing electrical systems. Senior electrical engineers must establish relationships with clients, vendors, and suppliers to ensure that projects are completed according to specifications. They create project budgets and produce working schedules and company regulations to make sure that a safe and positive working environment is achieved. Senior electrical engineers must be passionate about engineering development by attending electrical conferences and events.
Principal design engineers and senior electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Design Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $134,300 | $109,315 |
| Salary range | Between $99,000 And $180,000 | Between $82,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a principal design engineer and a senior electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Design Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between principal design engineers' and senior electrical engineers' demographics:
| Principal Design Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6% | Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 19.7% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 15.5% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |