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The differences between senior electronic 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 electronic engineer and a radio frequency engineer. Additionally, a senior electronic engineer has an average salary of $106,931, which is higher than the $88,301 average annual salary of a radio frequency engineer.
The top three skills for a senior electronic engineer include power electronics, analog and C++. The most important skills for a radio frequency engineer are test equipment, antenna, and system performance.
| Senior Electronic Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $106,931 | $88,301 |
| Hourly rate | $51.41 | $42.45 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 63,815 | 35,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A Senior Electronics Engineer is responsible for the directive development of communication systems, the field support design, equipment modifications, and technical issuances. This position demands knowledge in applied engineering principles to analyze and test electronic system performances or applications, technical documentation, producing engineering prototypes, and developing software. These professionals work with different equipment, from phones to PCs and even medical equipment or military systems. A Senior Electronics Engineer's tasks include checking the quality of the equipment they are using and ensuring that projects are cost-efficient, completed on time, and safe.
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 electronic engineers and radio frequency engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Electronic Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average salary | $106,931 | $88,301 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $141,000 | 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 | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior electronic engineer and a radio frequency engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Electronic Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between senior electronic engineers' and radio frequency engineers' demographics:
| Senior Electronic Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 15.9% White, 63.5% 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% |