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The differences between application engineers and mechanical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an application engineer and a mechanical engineer. Additionally, an application engineer has an average salary of $92,921, which is higher than the $75,352 average annual salary of a mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for an application engineer include technical support, java and C++. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Application Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,921 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $44.67 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 111,338 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An application engineer is responsible for creating and re-designing system applications based on clients' specifications and sales demands. Application engineers run diagnostic tests on software programs, identify areas of improvement, install necessary updates, upgrade optimization, revise system codes, and provide technical support for customers' needs. They also generate ideas and locate other business opportunities by analyzing current trends in the technology market that would help build revenues and increase profitability for the company. An application engineer must have a strong command of programming languages, software application processes, and general technology disciplines.
Mechanical Engineers oversee the development of various mechanical devices in different industries. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around crafting, improving, or designing technologies by utilizing extensive expertise in the subject; they identify and detect errors, provide in-depth analysis, and resolve issues. They are often in designated offices, but they can also work on-site and travel if necessary. Furthermore, Mechanical Engineers usually function in a group or team setting, often supervised by personnel in higher positions.
Application engineers and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Application Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,921 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $125,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Morgan Lewis | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between an application engineer and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Application Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between application engineers' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Application Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 1.4% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 11.5% White, 74.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 5% |