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The differences between consulting 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 a consulting engineer and a mechanical engineer. Additionally, a consulting engineer has an average salary of $97,746, which is higher than the $75,352 average annual salary of a mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for a consulting engineer include java, C # and linux. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Consulting Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,746 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $46.99 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 125,600 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A consulting engineer is an individual who aids in the planning, designing, and construction of a project from the public and private clients. Consulting engineers are required to advise on the best component suitable according to the needs of their clients. They can manage the project by coordinating with designers, architects, and relevant persons who have commissioned the project. They may incorporate green sustainable energy solutions based on the demands of their clients. Consulting engineers must also conduct a feasibility study and prepare the estimated cost for the project.
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.
Consulting engineers and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Consulting Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,746 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $131,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a consulting engineer and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Consulting Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between consulting engineers' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Consulting Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 13.8% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 5% | 5% |