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The differences between civil engineering technicians and mechanical designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become a civil engineering technician, becoming a mechanical designer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a mechanical designer has an average salary of $62,541, which is higher than the $53,829 average annual salary of a civil engineering technician.
The top three skills for a civil engineering technician include civil 3d, asphalt and construction sites. The most important skills for a mechanical designer are mechanical design, revit, and auto cad.
| Civil Engineering Technician | Mechanical Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $53,829 | $62,541 |
| Hourly rate | $25.88 | $30.07 |
| Growth rate | - | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 75,756 | 65,748 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 44% | Associate Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 6 |
A civil engineering technician assists civil engineers in planning, designing, and constructing bridges, highways, and other infrastructure projects. Civil engineering technicians typically work under the leadership of licensed civil engineers. They focus on construction projects for industrial, development, residential, and commercial infrastructure. It is imperative for them to have a better understanding and work with systems associated with construction projects. They should be equipped with knowledge of engineering, construction, and reading skills.
A mechanical designer is responsible for designing mechanical equipment and devices, together with the engineers and other technology professionals. Mechanical designers create layouts following the clients' specifications, perform structural analysis, and analyze dimensions to ensure quality. They also inspect overall equipment performance and recommend adjustments as needed to improve its quality and boost optimization. Mechanical designers assist with installation and system upgrades, respond with the clients' inquiries and concerns, and escalate it to the appropriate personnel for resolution. A mechanical designer must have a strong knowledge of the mechanical and technology industry to build designs according to the highest standards.
Civil engineering technicians and mechanical designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Civil Engineering Technician | Mechanical Designer | |
| Average salary | $53,829 | $62,541 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $78,000 | Between $46,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | City of Los Angeles | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Energy |
There are a few differences between a civil engineering technician and a mechanical designer in terms of educational background:
| Civil Engineering Technician | Mechanical Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 44% | Associate Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between civil engineering technicians' and mechanical designers' demographics:
| Civil Engineering Technician | Mechanical Designer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 10.5% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |