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The differences between utility engineers and student 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 student engineer. Additionally, a utility engineer has an average salary of $76,349, which is higher than the $71,947 average annual salary of a student engineer.
The top three skills for a utility engineer include HVAC, autocad and plumbing. The most important skills for a student engineer are GPA, C++, and CAD.
| Utility Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,349 | $71,947 |
| Hourly rate | $36.71 | $34.59 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 92,219 | 98,036 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| 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 student engineer is an individual who trains to become a full pledge professional engineer by gaining working experience in the field of engineering. By using their knowledge in the principles of science and mathematics, student engineers should help other professionals develop economical solutions and solve technical problems. They are required to engage themselves in the testing, production, or maintenance of newly developed products. Student engineers are also required to work closely with their senior managers or supervisors.
Utility engineers and student engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Utility Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,349 | $71,947 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $107,000 | Between $54,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Yakima, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Exxon Mobil | JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a utility engineer and a student engineer in terms of educational background:
| Utility Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| 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 student engineers' demographics:
| Utility Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% | Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2% |
| 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, 3.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 15.9% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |