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The differences between senior engineers and senior field engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a senior engineer, becoming a senior field engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior engineer has an average salary of $108,743, which is higher than the $97,104 average annual salary of a senior field engineer.
The top three skills for a senior engineer include java, python and architecture. The most important skills for a senior field engineer are RF, technical support, and excellent interpersonal.
| Senior Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $108,743 | $97,104 |
| Hourly rate | $52.28 | $46.68 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 343,200 | 86,767 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A senior engineer is responsible for overseeing all operations within a designated area. With years of experience and expertise, a senior engineer may take charge of establishing goals, deadlines, and budgets for a particular project. They must devise and implement strategies that would improve the quality of workflow and deliver significant results. Furthermore, a senior manager must also supervise a team of skilled engineers, leading them in the joint effort to reach the company's vision and mission, all while adhering to the safety standards and regulations.
A senior field engineer is in charge of overseeing and providing technical support on-site, helping operations run smoothly and efficiently. Among their responsibilities include performing installations and upgrades, performing research and analysis, managing staff, producing progress reports, and conducting inspections, ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. They must also perform regular maintenance checks on equipment, performing corrective repairs and adjustments when necessary. Furthermore, as a senior field engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior engineers while implementing the site's safety policies and regulations.
Senior engineers and senior field engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Average salary | $108,743 | $97,104 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $144,000 | Between $67,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Roku | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Energy |
There are a few differences between a senior engineer and a senior field engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between senior engineers' and senior field engineers' demographics:
| Senior Engineer | Senior Field Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% | Male, 95.1% Female, 4.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.1% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |