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The differences between project controls engineers and special project engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a project controls engineer and a special project engineer. Additionally, a project controls engineer has an average salary of $86,685, which is higher than the $70,934 average annual salary of a special project engineer.
The top three skills for a project controls engineer include project controls, project management and construction management. The most important skills for a special project engineer are DOD, design changes, and engineering support.
| Project Controls Engineer | Special Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $86,685 | $70,934 |
| Hourly rate | $41.68 | $34.10 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 38,974 | 90,999 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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 special project engineer is in-charged in the preparation, scheduling, coordination, and monitoring of engineering projects. He/She or she should be able to establish good relationships with prospective clients to gain information on engineering requirements and delegate tasks to staff. The core skills that a special project engineer should possess include good creative ability and excellent mechanical and listening skills. Other requirements to qualify for the position include a college degree in business or mechanical engineering.
Project controls engineers and special project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Project Controls Engineer | Special Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $86,685 | $70,934 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $119,000 | Between $52,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Newark, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a project controls engineer and a special project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Project Controls Engineer | Special Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between project controls engineers' and special project engineers' demographics:
| Project Controls Engineer | Special Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% |
| 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, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |