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The differences between associate mechanical engineers and senior mechanical designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an associate mechanical engineer and a senior mechanical designer. Additionally, a senior mechanical designer has an average salary of $103,765, which is higher than the $71,432 average annual salary of an associate mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for an associate mechanical engineer include CAD, mechanical design and solidworks. The most important skills for a senior mechanical designer are CAD, mechanical design, and GD.
| Associate Mechanical Engineer | Senior Mechanical Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $71,432 | $103,765 |
| Hourly rate | $34.34 | $49.89 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 75,091 | 71,958 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
A Senior Mechanical Designer is responsible for creating effective mechanical designs for their company and developing mechanical concepts in accordance with project requirements. They assist the engineering manager in coaching other mechanical engineers to develop design skills.
Associate mechanical engineers and senior mechanical designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Mechanical Engineer | Senior Mechanical Designer | |
| Average salary | $71,432 | $103,765 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $89,000 | Between $81,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Koch Industries | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an associate mechanical engineer and a senior mechanical designer in terms of educational background:
| Associate Mechanical Engineer | Senior Mechanical Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between associate mechanical engineers' and senior mechanical designers' demographics:
| Associate Mechanical Engineer | Senior Mechanical Designer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2% | Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9% |
| 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, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 11.4% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |