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The differences between principal 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 engineer, becoming a senior electrical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a principal engineer has an average salary of $130,213, which is higher than the $109,315 average annual salary of a senior electrical engineer.
The top three skills for a principal engineer include java, architecture and python. The most important skills for a senior electrical engineer are control systems, electrical equipment, and electrical systems.
| Principal Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $130,213 | $109,315 |
| Hourly rate | $62.60 | $52.56 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 312,683 | 82,639 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A principal engineer is responsible for monitoring the overall design phase of the construction process, including coordinating with the client for progress and updates, as well as performing adjustments as needed based on clients' specifications and requirements. Principal engineers also inspect the materials and resources used to ensure that the project stays within the budget goals and set timeframe. They should have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in preparing reports and training new staff.
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 engineers and senior electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $130,213 | $109,315 |
| Salary range | Between $95,000 And $177,000 | Between $82,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Grubhub | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Technology |
There are a few differences between a principal engineer and a senior electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between principal engineers' and senior electrical engineers' demographics:
| Principal Engineer | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 5% | 6% |