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The differences between radio frequency engineers and controls designers 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 controls designer. Additionally, a controls designer has an average salary of $91,944, 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 controls designer are PLC, control panels, and IDS.
| Radio Frequency Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $88,301 | $91,944 |
| Hourly rate | $42.45 | $44.20 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 35,158 | 79,729 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| 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.
Controls designers both design and draft systems of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical controls for equipment and machines. The designers make diagrams of the logic system for timing and sequence control. They illustrate and describe details for installation and maintenance, such as bearing lubrication and lubrication types. It is part of their job to review schematics with the representatives of customers to answer questions during robot system installation. Also, they may design energy conversion controls.
Radio frequency engineers and controls designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Radio Frequency Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Average salary | $88,301 | $91,944 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $115,000 | Between $69,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Meta | Visteon |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a radio frequency engineer and a controls designer in terms of educational background:
| Radio Frequency Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between radio frequency engineers' and controls designers' demographics:
| Radio Frequency Engineer | Controls Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| 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, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 17.7% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |