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The differences between test engineers and electrical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a test engineer, becoming an electrical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an electrical engineer has an average salary of $81,026, which is higher than the $79,832 average annual salary of a test engineer.
The top three skills for a test engineer include python, C++ and C #. The most important skills for an electrical engineer are autocad, electrical systems, and UL.
| Test Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $79,832 | $81,026 |
| Hourly rate | $38.38 | $38.95 |
| Growth rate | - | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 228,974 | 68,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Test engineers are professionals who observe and record the quality of products, which includes functionality, durability, speed, and safety. They are responsible for checking the materials and procedures thoroughly throughout the production cycle. It is their duty to run tests on different criteria to identify and fix technical issues. They analyze reactions to determine the causes of malfunctions and recommend potential improvements. Moreover, they test products before they are launched to ensure customers get high-quality and functional products.
Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and developing new electrical systems, solving issues, and testing equipment. They work on various technologies, including telecommunication systems, satellite communications, and electrical power stations. Electrical engineers study and apply the mathematics and physics of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity to small and large-scale electrical systems to transmit energy and process information. They often work with all types of electronic devices, such as supercomputers and power transmission. They also work in the emerging field of microelectronics.
Test engineers and electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $79,832 | $81,026 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $104,000 | Between $59,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redmond, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Technology |
There are a few differences between a test engineer and an electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Test Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between test engineers' and electrical engineers' demographics:
| Test Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 16.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 6% |