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The differences between principal electrical engineers and staff engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a principal electrical engineer, becoming a staff engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a principal electrical engineer has an average salary of $121,822, which is higher than the $107,530 average annual salary of a staff engineer.
The top three skills for a principal electrical engineer include electrical engineering, RF and analog. The most important skills for a staff engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Principal Electrical Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $121,822 | $107,530 |
| Hourly rate | $58.57 | $51.70 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 112,926 | 277,011 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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.
Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.
Principal electrical engineers and staff engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Electrical Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average salary | $121,822 | $107,530 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $159,000 | Between $69,000 And $167,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Flexport |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a principal electrical engineer and a staff engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Electrical Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between principal electrical engineers' and staff engineers' demographics:
| Principal Electrical Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.4% Female, 6.6% | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.8% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |