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The differences between senior control systems engineers and radio frequency 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 senior control systems engineer and a radio frequency engineer. Additionally, a senior control systems engineer has an average salary of $109,721, which is higher than the $88,301 average annual salary of a radio frequency engineer.
The top three skills for a senior control systems engineer include MATLAB, C++ and project management. The most important skills for a radio frequency engineer are test equipment, antenna, and system performance.
| Senior Control Systems Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $109,721 | $88,301 |
| Hourly rate | $52.75 | $42.45 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 154,439 | 35,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
As senior control systems engineer's main task is to provide automatic solutions to their company through technologies such as DCS, PLC, and custom-built panels. They are responsible for designing and analyzing control systems for their company and identifying any potential issues. They troubleshoot the malfunctions within the control systems of the company. In addition to that, they provide the company with system designs and engineering tasks.
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.
Senior control systems engineers and radio frequency engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Control Systems Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average salary | $109,721 | $88,301 |
| Salary range | Between $84,000 And $142,000 | Between $67,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Cupertino, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior control systems engineer and a radio frequency engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Control Systems Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between senior control systems engineers' and radio frequency engineers' demographics:
| Senior Control Systems Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.9% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |