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The differences between signal engineers and junior engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a signal engineer, becoming a junior engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a signal engineer has an average salary of $87,939, which is higher than the $70,653 average annual salary of a junior engineer.
The top three skills for a signal engineer include field testing, control systems and project management. The most important skills for a junior engineer are control systems, java, and C++.
| Signal Engineer | Junior Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,939 | $70,653 |
| Hourly rate | $42.28 | $33.97 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 25,699 | 107,703 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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.
A Junior Engineer helps design, build, or maintain engines, machines, or public works. They work under the supervision of an engineer.
Signal engineers and junior engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Signal Engineer | Junior Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,939 | $70,653 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $129,000 | Between $54,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a signal engineer and a junior engineer in terms of educational background:
| Signal Engineer | Junior Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between signal engineers' and junior engineers' demographics:
| Signal Engineer | Junior Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |