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The differences between rail signal mechanics and signal engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a rail signal mechanic, becoming a signal engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a signal engineer has an average salary of $87,939, which is higher than the $67,797 average annual salary of a rail signal mechanic.
The top three skills for a rail signal mechanic include mechanical systems, test equipment and VAC. The most important skills for a signal engineer are field testing, control systems, and project management.
| Rail Signal Mechanic | Signal Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $67,797 | $87,939 |
| Hourly rate | $32.59 | $42.28 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 34,440 | 25,699 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Rail signal mechanics and signal engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Rail Signal Mechanic | Signal Engineer | |
| Average salary | $67,797 | $87,939 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $101,000 | Between $59,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a rail signal mechanic and a signal engineer in terms of educational background:
| Rail Signal Mechanic | Signal Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Electrical/Electronics Maintenance And Repair Technology | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between rail signal mechanics' and signal engineers' demographics:
| Rail Signal Mechanic | Signal Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0% | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 2.4% White, 68.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 18.8% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 6% |