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The differences between signal engineers and electrical controls engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a signal engineer and an electrical controls engineer. Additionally, a signal engineer has an average salary of $87,939, which is higher than the $82,681 average annual salary of an electrical controls engineer.
The top three skills for a signal engineer include field testing, control systems and project management. The most important skills for an electrical controls engineer are HMI, PLC, and allen-bradley.
| Signal Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,939 | $82,681 |
| Hourly rate | $42.28 | $39.75 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 25,699 | 54,037 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A signal engineer holds the responsibility of conducting feasibility studies, cost estimates, planning, budgeting, and administration relating to signal issues. They manage approved work programs for traffic signals, resolve issues with existing traffic signals, and oversee members of the traffic signal staff.
An electrical controls engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and optimal performance of the organization's electrical tools and equipment, usually in manufacturing and warehouse settings. Electrical controls engineers use their excellent analytical and statistical skills to analyze operational processes and suggest production improvement techniques maximize productivity and reduce service delays. They conduct preventive maintenance on the equipment and machinery, including network and system configuration, to increase efficiency and accuracy. An electrical controls engineer maintains operational reports, including equipment and machinery instructional manuals for reference.
Signal engineers and electrical controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Signal Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,939 | $82,681 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $129,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Apple | Tallgrass Energy |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a signal engineer and an electrical controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Signal Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between signal engineers' and electrical controls engineers' demographics:
| Signal Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 18.8% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |