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The differences between vehicle controls engineers and electrical controls engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a vehicle controls engineer, becoming an electrical controls engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a vehicle controls engineer has an average salary of $98,897, which is higher than the $82,681 average annual salary of an electrical controls engineer.
The top three skills for a vehicle controls engineer include canalyzer, vehicle dynamics and control systems. The most important skills for an electrical controls engineer are HMI, PLC, and allen-bradley.
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $98,897 | $82,681 |
| Hourly rate | $47.55 | $39.75 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 78,830 | 54,037 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A vehicle controls engineer specializes in designing and developing automotive systems and solutions. They usually work at automotive manufacturing facilities where they spearhead projects, conduct research and analyses, gather and analyze data, study client and market feedback, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems to develop strategies that will optimize operations. Moreover, a vehicle controls engineer develops prototypes and test structures, coordinates with fellow experts, troubleshoots problems, set safety and efficiency guidelines, and manages staff while implementing company policies and regulations.
An electrical controls engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and optimal performance of the organization's electrical tools and equipment, usually in manufacturing and warehouse settings. Electrical controls engineers use their excellent analytical and statistical skills to analyze operational processes and suggest production improvement techniques maximize productivity and reduce service delays. They conduct preventive maintenance on the equipment and machinery, including network and system configuration, to increase efficiency and accuracy. An electrical controls engineer maintains operational reports, including equipment and machinery instructional manuals for reference.
Vehicle controls engineers and electrical controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Average salary | $98,897 | $82,681 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $142,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Zoox | Tallgrass Energy |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a vehicle controls engineer and an electrical controls engineer in terms of educational background:
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between vehicle controls engineers' and electrical controls engineers' demographics:
| Vehicle Controls Engineer | Electrical Controls Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |