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The differences between associate mechanical engineers and mechanical design drafters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an associate mechanical engineer, becoming a mechanical design drafter takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an associate mechanical engineer has an average salary of $71,432, which is higher than the $58,371 average annual salary of a mechanical design drafter.
The top three skills for an associate mechanical engineer include CAD, mechanical design and solidworks. The most important skills for a mechanical design drafter are design layouts, creo, and assembly drawings.
| Associate Mechanical Engineer | Mechanical Design Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $71,432 | $58,371 |
| Hourly rate | $34.34 | $28.06 |
| Growth rate | 2% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 75,091 | 54,189 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
Associate Mechanical Engineers are usually entry-level mechanical engineers hired by the company. They help design and conceptualize mechanical assets, construct and install mechanical parts, and repair mechanical problems in the different machines they work with. Associate Mechanical Engineers should be licensed with specialized knowledge of the different activities involved in the role. They ensure that the model they are making is working properly. They also help out in operating machines and other mechanical equipment needed by the company. They are expected to know the science behind the different machines and the machinations at play.
Mechanical design drafter develops detailed mechanical equipment designs and specifications needed for assembly and modifies them to repair defects and to minimize problems in the production. He/she often works with architects and engineers either in an office or via job sites with hands-on experience in computer-aided design (CAD) software and building processes, visual aptitude, and mathematical skills. However, the demand for drafters tempered as CAD and building information modeling (BIM) technologies allows architects and engineers to perform tasks that are usually done by a mechanical design drafter.
Associate mechanical engineers and mechanical design drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Mechanical Engineer | Mechanical Design Drafter | |
| Average salary | $71,432 | $58,371 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $89,000 | Between $45,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Fremont, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Koch Industries | Salt River Project |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an associate mechanical engineer and a mechanical design drafter in terms of educational background:
| Associate Mechanical Engineer | Mechanical Design Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between associate mechanical engineers' and mechanical design drafters' demographics:
| Associate Mechanical Engineer | Mechanical Design Drafter | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2% | Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 15.7% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 73.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |