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The differences between project controls engineers and project controls specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a project controls engineer, becoming a project controls specialist takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a project controls engineer has an average salary of $86,685, which is higher than the $85,159 average annual salary of a project controls specialist.
The top three skills for a project controls engineer include project controls, project management and construction management. The most important skills for a project controls specialist are project controls, project management, and work breakdown structure.
| Project Controls Engineer | Project Controls Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $86,685 | $85,159 |
| Hourly rate | $41.68 | $40.94 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 38,974 | 21,484 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
A Project Controls Engineer creates project cost reports and progress charts. These professionals interpret the company contract and deal with the existing cost control database and financial risk. Project Controls Engineers reconcile and organize the project cost information with the clients' status reports. Also, they evaluate cash flow reports and project cost reports prepared by CMA.
A project controls specialist is responsible for establishing project management procedures to achieve project goals and objectives by following clients' specifications and requirements within the budget limitations and timetable. Project controls specialists implement strategic techniques to mitigate potential project risks and promote maximum productivity by conducting regular meetings to monitor the project's progress. They also coordinate with the clients for the updates, as well as informing them of any plan adjustments. A project controls specialist maintains strict quality control processes to ensure the efficient development of the project for timely deliverables.
Project controls engineers and project controls specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Project Controls Engineer | Project Controls Specialist | |
| Average salary | $86,685 | $85,159 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $119,000 | Between $60,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Idaho |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Professional |
There are a few differences between a project controls engineer and a project controls specialist in terms of educational background:
| Project Controls Engineer | Project Controls Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
Here are the differences between project controls engineers' and project controls specialists' demographics:
| Project Controls Engineer | Project Controls Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% | Male, 58.3% Female, 41.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.9% White, 70.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 4% |