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The differences between senior electricians and senior electrical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a senior electrician, becoming a senior electrical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior electrical engineer has an average salary of $109,315, which is higher than the $55,615 average annual salary of a senior electrician.
The top three skills for a senior electrician include electrical equipment, hand tools and ladders. The most important skills for a senior electrical engineer are control systems, electrical equipment, and electrical systems.
| Senior Electrician | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $55,615 | $109,315 |
| Hourly rate | $26.74 | $52.56 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 17,633 | 82,639 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
A senior electrician needs to be aware of the various electric problems that occur within their company's system. Using a variety of testing devices, they identify potential electrical problems. They replace wiring equipment or fixtures and work with voltages ranging from 12V DC to 12470V AC. They must have the ability to read electrical diagrams and blueprints of any electrical system.
A senior electrical engineer is an individual who leads other engineers to review electrical design plans and analyze existing electrical systems. Senior electrical engineers must establish relationships with clients, vendors, and suppliers to ensure that projects are completed according to specifications. They create project budgets and produce working schedules and company regulations to make sure that a safe and positive working environment is achieved. Senior electrical engineers must be passionate about engineering development by attending electrical conferences and events.
Senior electricians and senior electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Electrician | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $55,615 | $109,315 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $81,000 | Between $82,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | Stockton, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Washington |
| Best paying company | JELD-WEN | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior electrician and a senior electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Electrician | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between senior electricians' and senior electrical engineers' demographics:
| Senior Electrician | Senior Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0% | Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.3% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 15.5% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 6% |