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The differences between semiconductor engineers and 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 semiconductor engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a semiconductor engineer has an average salary of $96,951, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a semiconductor engineer include data analysis, RF and failure analysis. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Semiconductor Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,951 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $46.61 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 37,162 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
As a semiconductor engineer, your main job is to make semiconductors that are mostly made out of silicon. You have to create electrical products that enable the integration of workers, materials, and machines. Semiconductor engineers increase the efficiency of these semiconductors and develop new technologies for creating semiconductors for electric circuitry.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Semiconductor engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Semiconductor Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $96,951 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $134,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bothell, WA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Applied Materials | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | - | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a semiconductor engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Semiconductor Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between semiconductor engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Semiconductor Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.0% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |