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Project controls engineer vs project management engineer

The differences between project controls engineers and project management 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 project controls engineer, becoming a project management engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a project controls engineer has an average salary of $86,685, which is higher than the $80,337 average annual salary of a project management engineer.

The top three skills for a project controls engineer include project controls, project management and construction management. The most important skills for a project management engineer are project management, management system, and HVAC.

Project controls engineer vs project management engineer overview

Project Controls EngineerProject Management Engineer
Yearly salary$86,685$80,337
Hourly rate$41.68$38.62
Growth rate3%10%
Number of jobs38,974145,104
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4542
Years of experience64

What does a project controls engineer do?

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.

What does a project management engineer do?

A project management engineer oversees technical and engineering projects, ensuring operations adhere to standards and guidelines. They design and develop solutions to optimize the daily project operations, conduct regular assessments and inspections, create administrative plans, set objectives, establish timelines, and supervise the performance of the workforce, providing support as needed. Moreover, as a project management engineer, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach goals, all while implementing safety policies and regulations for a safe and efficient workflow.

Project controls engineer vs project management engineer salary

Project controls engineers and project management engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project Controls EngineerProject Management Engineer
Average salary$86,685$80,337
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $119,000Between $55,000 And $116,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABelmont, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyBP America IncPayPal
Best paying industryEnergyTechnology

Differences between project controls engineer and project management engineer education

There are a few differences between a project controls engineer and a project management engineer in terms of educational background:

Project Controls EngineerProject Management Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorBusinessMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Project controls engineer vs project management engineer demographics

Here are the differences between project controls engineers' and project management engineers' demographics:

Project Controls EngineerProject Management Engineer
Average age4542
Gender ratioMale, 80.3% Female, 19.7%Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6%
Race ratioBlack 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, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 12.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%4%

Differences between project controls engineer and project management engineer duties and responsibilities

Project controls engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage accruals, cash flows, and invoices for $25MM total install cost EPC project.
  • Manage multiple projects involving both internal and vendor resources affecting national production infrastructure.
  • Create and maintain CPM schedules for engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning phases on various projects.
  • Develop and improve PMO process methodologies.
  • Optimize plant maintenance and manpower scheduling using spreadsheet forecasting models.
  • Prepare summary level CPM schedules and present progress to owner company executive management on a monthly basis.
  • Show more

Project management engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage Linux/Apache server configuration for company version control and bug tracking, creating PHP/MySQL database on server for product specification library.
  • Coordinate HVAC sales, build, delivery, installation, and start up with contractors.
  • Create various drawings for new and existing floor plans, equipment layout, HVAC, electrical layout.
  • Develop, organize and execute SDLC projects to improve safety, quality and/or productivity throughout several processes in a warehouse environment.
  • Excel in highly organize enterprise project management office leading projects using SDLC and standardize project management methodologies, processes and tools.

Project controls engineer vs project management engineer skills

Common project controls engineer skills
  • Project Controls, 12%
  • Project Management, 9%
  • Construction Management, 7%
  • Primavera P6, 5%
  • Control Systems, 3%
  • Project Cost, 3%
Common project management engineer skills
  • Project Management, 22%
  • Management System, 4%
  • HVAC, 4%
  • Capital Projects, 4%
  • Infrastructure, 3%
  • Provide Engineering Support, 3%

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