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The differences between radio frequency engineers and project controls 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 project controls engineer. Additionally, a radio frequency engineer has an average salary of $88,301, which is higher than the $86,685 average annual salary of a project controls engineer.
The top three skills for a radio frequency engineer include test equipment, antenna and system performance. The most important skills for a project controls engineer are project controls, project management, and construction management.
| Radio Frequency Engineer | Project Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $88,301 | $86,685 |
| Hourly rate | $42.45 | $41.68 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 35,158 | 38,974 |
| 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.
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.
Radio frequency engineers and project controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Radio Frequency Engineer | Project Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $88,301 | $86,685 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $115,000 | Between $63,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a radio frequency engineer and a project controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Radio Frequency Engineer | Project Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between radio frequency engineers' and project controls engineers' demographics:
| Radio Frequency Engineer | Project Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| 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, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |