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Project field engineer vs senior project engineer

The differences between project field engineers and senior 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 field engineer and a senior project engineer. Additionally, a senior project engineer has an average salary of $97,803, which is higher than the $71,292 average annual salary of a project field engineer.

The top three skills for a project field engineer include shop drawings, project management and OSHA. The most important skills for a senior project engineer are project management, construction management, and CAD.

Project field engineer vs senior project engineer overview

Project Field EngineerSenior Project Engineer
Yearly salary$71,292$97,803
Hourly rate$34.27$47.02
Growth rate7%2%
Number of jobs78,589146,838
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does a project field engineer do?

Field engineers are engineering professionals who work on-site in a different setting to direct workers and report to the management about the status of different projects. These engineers are required to resolve malfunctions or other crises such as construction or machinery problems while overseeing repairs and technical improvements. They must conduct research and studies on-site and installing new systems and technology to ensure smooth operations of machinery. Field engineers must also communicate with clients to discuss and determine the needs and explain complex issues of projects.

What does a senior project engineer do?

A senior project engineer is responsible for monitoring the project team's overall process and operations from conceptualization until completion, ensuring the adherence to the clients' specifications, within the budget's goals, and the required deadline. Senior project engineers regularly communicate with the client regarding updates or necessary adjustments. They develop strategic procedures to finish the project efficiently by running diagnostic tests and troubleshooting discrepancies. A senior project engineer must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the team's performance and provide assistance when necessary.

Project field engineer vs senior project engineer salary

Project field engineers and senior project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project Field EngineerSenior Project Engineer
Average salary$71,292$97,803
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $90,000Between $77,000 And $124,000
Highest paying CityRoseville, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateOklahomaMaryland
Best paying companyOHL USAAmazon
Best paying industryEnergyAutomotive

Differences between project field engineer and senior project engineer education

There are a few differences between a project field engineer and a senior project engineer in terms of educational background:

Project Field EngineerSenior Project Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeColumbia University in the City of New YorkMichigan Technological University

Project field engineer vs senior project engineer demographics

Here are the differences between project field engineers' and senior project engineers' demographics:

Project Field EngineerSenior Project Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 91.1% Female, 8.9%Male, 84.4% Female, 15.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 11.2% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 14.8% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between project field engineer and senior project engineer duties and responsibilities

Project field engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage work orders utilizing client's MAXIMO and BSL system.
  • Manage document control including change orders, billings, RFI tracking, purchasing documentation and contract administration.
  • Manage and/or participate in a variety of water and wastewater assist company principles as engineering consultants for numerous municipal clients.
  • Obtain and evaluate geotechnical data at project sites.
  • Negotiate change-order work and prepare monthly project CPM updates.
  • Create and maintain change order logs on each project also maintaining RFI logs on all projects.
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Senior project engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage offshore-onsite deliveries in the SharePoint, .Net, EMC Documentum environments and best practices.
  • Design and manage a quality management system for the company's dealer franchise network so dealers can become ISO certify.
  • Lead development of PC software design to enhance dealer sales effectiveness and ability to demonstrate superior product value for the customer.
  • Design and manage retrofits for HVAC system and fire protection program for nuclear pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.
  • Manage multiple crews for installation, implementation and service of RF and telecommunications systems throughout Florida.
  • Manage the manufacturing of defense and aerospace electro-mechanical print circuit boards from prototype to production level.
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Project field engineer vs senior project engineer skills

Common project field engineer skills
  • Shop Drawings, 10%
  • Project Management, 9%
  • OSHA, 7%
  • Construction Management, 7%
  • Field Supervision, 6%
  • Construction Projects, 5%
Common senior project engineer skills
  • Project Management, 16%
  • Construction Management, 4%
  • CAD, 4%
  • UL, 4%
  • Engineering Design, 3%
  • Cost Estimates, 3%

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