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The differences between wireless engineers and radio frequency 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 radio frequency engineer. Additionally, a wireless engineer has an average salary of $103,718, which is higher than the $88,301 average annual salary of a radio frequency engineer.
The top three skills for a wireless engineer include IP, switches and WLAN. The most important skills for a radio frequency engineer are test equipment, antenna, and system performance.
| Wireless Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $103,718 | $88,301 |
| Hourly rate | $49.86 | $42.45 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 24,289 | 35,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
A radio frequency engineer, also known as RF engineer, specializes in designing and developing communication systems using radio waves. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around creating networks and systems and testing equipment. They make sure that equipment is up to high standards by traveling to different areas as needed, troubleshooting issues to identify the root of problems and performing corrective measures required. Furthermore, a radio frequency engineer must continuously optimize equipment quality and ensure efficiency while adhering to the laws and regulations.
Wireless engineers and radio frequency engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Wireless Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average salary | $103,718 | $88,301 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $140,000 | Between $67,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fairfield, CA | Cupertino, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Technology |
There are a few differences between a wireless engineer and a radio frequency engineer in terms of educational background:
| Wireless Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between wireless engineers' and radio frequency engineers' demographics:
| Wireless Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 20.7% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |