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The differences between professional engineers and 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 professional engineer, becoming an electrical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a professional engineer has an average salary of $86,348, which is higher than the $81,026 average annual salary of an electrical engineer.
The top three skills for a professional engineer include civil engineering, project management and PE. The most important skills for an electrical engineer are autocad, electrical systems, and UL.
| Professional Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $86,348 | $81,026 |
| Hourly rate | $41.51 | $38.95 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 74,009 | 68,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A professional engineer specializes in designing and developing systems and structures through different principles. Although their duties will vary upon their industry of employment, it typically includes performing site assessments and examinations, studying the purpose and goals of the project, developing plans and guidelines, monitoring the progress of operations, and resolving issues and concerns promptly and efficiently. They may work together with architects and senior engineers, liaise with clients or contractors, and perform regular site inspections. Furthermore, a professional engineer must implement safety protocols and regulations to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and developing new electrical systems, solving issues, and testing equipment. They work on various technologies, including telecommunication systems, satellite communications, and electrical power stations. Electrical engineers study and apply the mathematics and physics of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity to small and large-scale electrical systems to transmit energy and process information. They often work with all types of electronic devices, such as supercomputers and power transmission. They also work in the emerging field of microelectronics.
Professional engineers and electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Professional Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $86,348 | $81,026 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $118,000 | Between $59,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redmond, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Bayer | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Technology |
There are a few differences between a professional engineer and an electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Professional Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between professional engineers' and electrical engineers' demographics:
| Professional Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 12.6% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 16.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |