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Wireless engineer vs controls engineer

The differences between wireless engineers and controls 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 wireless engineer and a controls engineer. Additionally, a wireless engineer has an average salary of $103,718, which is higher than the $84,532 average annual salary of a controls engineer.

The top three skills for a wireless engineer include IP, switches and WLAN. The most important skills for a controls engineer are C++, troubleshoot, and UL.

Wireless engineer vs controls engineer overview

Wireless EngineerControls Engineer
Yearly salary$103,718$84,532
Hourly rate$49.86$40.64
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs24,28950,203
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a wireless engineer do?

A wireless service engineer is an individual who provides support to Internet and wireless phone subscribers in a specific area. The job of a wireless engineer is to make sure that wireless coverage in a zone remains active, linking all users with their subscription speed and signal strength. The task of a wireless service engineer includes the inspection, monitoring and maintenance of all wireless equipment and facilities in a given area. Wireless networks are an important part of many communities today, particularly as the increase in mobile phone users is at a record level.

What does a controls engineer do?

A Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and supervising electrical control systems, machinery, and equipment. They oversee projects from initial concept to installation and commissioning.

Wireless engineer vs controls engineer salary

Wireless engineers and controls engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Wireless EngineerControls Engineer
Average salary$103,718$84,532
Salary rangeBetween $76,000 And $140,000Between $64,000 And $111,000
Highest paying CityFairfield, CAPalo Alto, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaApple
Best paying industryStart-upAutomotive

Differences between wireless engineer and controls engineer education

There are a few differences between a wireless engineer and a controls engineer in terms of educational background:

Wireless EngineerControls Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityGeorgia Institute of Technology

Wireless engineer vs controls engineer demographics

Here are the differences between wireless engineers' and controls engineers' demographics:

Wireless EngineerControls Engineer
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 93.6% Female, 6.4%Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.9% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between wireless engineer and controls engineer duties and responsibilities

Wireless engineer example responsibilities.

  • Process improvement efforts and/or other opportunities to automate these processes with computer applications with C++ and/or Java where applicable.
  • Lead safety meetings daily with MW crews.
  • Travel to remote locations to troubleshoot network devices.
  • Circuit simulation and test of amplifiers and mixers.
  • Man the war room accepting MW links and preparing ring audits for commissioning efforts.
  • Act as the government lead for contractor engineers and technicians supporting work on SATCOM programs.
  • Show more

Controls engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead team to upgrade new syringe lines to current OSHA and NFPA safety standards.
  • Lead a team of 12 programmers to validate a common library of 70 DeltaV modules.
  • Promote to manage the advanced process control (APC) program, responsible for the generation of $30MM per year.
  • Establish communication links and prepare machines for bench-testing to attain UL certification.
  • Design electrical controls using Allen-Bradley PLC for automatic filling of emergency breathing air bottles.
  • Complete system design, installation, troubleshooting and technical support of PC and PLC control automated and robotic manufacturing equipment.
  • Show more

Wireless engineer vs controls engineer skills

Common wireless engineer skills
  • IP, 8%
  • Switches, 7%
  • WLAN, 7%
  • Wifi, 6%
  • Wireless Network, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 5%
Common controls engineer skills
  • C++, 8%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • UL, 5%
  • Hmi Programming, 4%
  • MATLAB, 4%
  • Simulink, 4%

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