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The differences between utility engineers and consulting engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a utility engineer and a consulting engineer. Additionally, a consulting engineer has an average salary of $97,746, which is higher than the $76,349 average annual salary of a utility engineer.
The top three skills for a utility engineer include HVAC, autocad and plumbing. The most important skills for a consulting engineer are java, C #, and linux.
| Utility Engineer | Consulting Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,349 | $97,746 |
| Hourly rate | $36.71 | $46.99 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 92,219 | 125,600 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A utility engineer is responsible for managing the energy resources within the industrial companies, measuring the amount of energy released, and identifying methods to minimize energy waste. Utility engineers run multiple quality checks with technological energy equipment to ensure its efficiency and stability in maintaining the accurate level of energy distribution to support commercial operations. They evaluate the energy needs of an area and recommend techniques to improve reliability. A utility engineer must have excellent communication and analytical skills, as well as extensive knowledge of mechanical ability to monitor and improve energy systems.
A consulting engineer is an individual who aids in the planning, designing, and construction of a project from the public and private clients. Consulting engineers are required to advise on the best component suitable according to the needs of their clients. They can manage the project by coordinating with designers, architects, and relevant persons who have commissioned the project. They may incorporate green sustainable energy solutions based on the demands of their clients. Consulting engineers must also conduct a feasibility study and prepare the estimated cost for the project.
Utility engineers and consulting engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Utility Engineer | Consulting Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,349 | $97,746 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $107,000 | Between $72,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Exxon Mobil | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a utility engineer and a consulting engineer in terms of educational background:
| Utility Engineer | Consulting Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between utility engineers' and consulting engineers' demographics:
| Utility Engineer | Consulting Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 10.2% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 13.8% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |