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The differences between radio frequency engineers and control systems 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 radio frequency engineer and a control systems engineer. Additionally, a control systems engineer has an average salary of $92,727, which is higher than the $88,301 average annual salary of a radio frequency engineer.
The top three skills for a radio frequency engineer include test equipment, antenna and system performance. The most important skills for a control systems engineer are PLC, HMI, and C++.
| Radio Frequency Engineer | Control Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $88,301 | $92,727 |
| Hourly rate | $42.45 | $44.58 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 35,158 | 133,220 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A radio frequency engineer, also known as RF engineer, specializes in designing and developing communication systems using radio waves. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around creating networks and systems and testing equipment. They make sure that equipment is up to high standards by traveling to different areas as needed, troubleshooting issues to identify the root of problems and performing corrective measures required. Furthermore, a radio frequency engineer must continuously optimize equipment quality and ensure efficiency while adhering to the laws and regulations.
Control systems engineers are interdisciplinary engineers managing the company's control systems. They are expected to be familiar with different engineering disciplines such as mechanical, industrial, and computer science, among others. They are responsible for designing systems based on the company's requirements. Control systems engineers must conduct feasibility studies to ensure that the company's requirements can be met. They are also responsible for developing the systems, creating prototypes, and testing. They test whether the control systems produce desired results. After testing, control systems engineers implement the system and conduct routine maintenance checks.
Radio frequency engineers and control systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Radio Frequency Engineer | Control Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $88,301 | $92,727 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $115,000 | Between $72,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a radio frequency engineer and a control systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Radio Frequency Engineer | Control Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between radio frequency engineers' and control systems engineers' demographics:
| Radio Frequency Engineer | Control Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 90.5% Female, 9.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 20.7% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 15.4% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |