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The differences between staff electrical engineers and radio frequency 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 staff electrical engineer, becoming a radio frequency engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a staff electrical engineer has an average salary of $112,225, which is higher than the $88,301 average annual salary of a radio frequency engineer.
The top three skills for a staff electrical engineer include electrical engineering, analog and electrical systems. The most important skills for a radio frequency engineer are test equipment, antenna, and system performance.
| Staff Electrical Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $112,225 | $88,301 |
| Hourly rate | $53.95 | $42.45 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 129,667 | 35,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A staff electrical engineer specializes in designing and developing electrical systems and equipment. Their responsibilities typically include understanding the project's needs, conducting research and analysis, creating prototypes and test structures, performing installations and adjustments, resolving and repairing issues, and developing strategies to enhance existing systems. They must also perform regular maintenance checks to maintain a safe and efficient work environment. Moreover, a staff electrical engineer may train junior engineers while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
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.
Staff electrical engineers and radio frequency engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Staff Electrical Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average salary | $112,225 | $88,301 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $152,000 | Between $67,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Cupertino, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Cheniere Energy | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a staff electrical engineer and a radio frequency engineer in terms of educational background:
| Staff Electrical Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between staff electrical engineers' and radio frequency engineers' demographics:
| Staff Electrical Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.6% Female, 5.4% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 15.1% White, 63.8% 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% |