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The differences between principal electrical engineers and senior field engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a principal electrical engineer and a senior field engineer. Additionally, a principal electrical engineer has an average salary of $121,822, which is higher than the $97,104 average annual salary of a senior field engineer.
The top three skills for a principal electrical engineer include electrical engineering, RF and analog. The most important skills for a senior field engineer are RF, technical support, and excellent interpersonal.
| Principal Electrical Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $121,822 | $97,104 |
| Hourly rate | $58.57 | $46.68 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 112,926 | 86,767 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A principal electrical engineer is responsible for overseeing the development of electrical systems and projects. Because of their expertise, they have the responsibility to spearhead electrical projects from planning to execution, set goals and budgets, establish guidelines, develop test structures, and create strategies to optimize operations. They must also respond to issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a principal electrical engineer, it is essential to manage staff while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
A senior field engineer is in charge of overseeing and providing technical support on-site, helping operations run smoothly and efficiently. Among their responsibilities include performing installations and upgrades, performing research and analysis, managing staff, producing progress reports, and conducting inspections, ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. They must also perform regular maintenance checks on equipment, performing corrective repairs and adjustments when necessary. Furthermore, as a senior field engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior engineers while implementing the site's safety policies and regulations.
Principal electrical engineers and senior field engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Electrical Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Average salary | $121,822 | $97,104 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $159,000 | Between $67,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a principal electrical engineer and a senior field engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Electrical Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between principal electrical engineers' and senior field engineers' demographics:
| Principal Electrical Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.4% Female, 6.6% | Male, 95.1% Female, 4.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 15.6% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |