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The differences between semiconductor engineers and product support 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 a product support engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a semiconductor engineer has an average salary of $96,951, which is higher than the $90,379 average annual salary of a product support engineer.
The top three skills for a semiconductor engineer include data analysis, RF and failure analysis. The most important skills for a product support engineer are product support, technical support, and troubleshoot.
| Semiconductor Engineer | Product Support Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,951 | $90,379 |
| Hourly rate | $46.61 | $43.45 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 37,162 | 201,554 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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.
A product support engineer is responsible for resolving technical issues of end-users regarding the products and services offered by the company. Product support engineers conduct troubleshooting operations for system failures and write resolution reports for reference. They also support the product analysts in improving the product's features and processes to prevent the reoccurrence of defects and maintain optimal performance. A product support engineer designs automation procedures and runs multiple diagnostic tests to ensure high-quality outputs and avoid operational delays.
Semiconductor engineers and product support engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Semiconductor Engineer | Product Support Engineer | |
| Average salary | $96,951 | $90,379 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $134,000 | Between $67,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bothell, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Applied Materials | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a semiconductor engineer and a product support engineer in terms of educational background:
| Semiconductor Engineer | Product Support Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between semiconductor engineers' and product support engineers' demographics:
| Semiconductor Engineer | Product Support Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% | Male, 80.7% Female, 19.3% |
| 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, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 13.0% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |