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The differences between controls design 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 controls design engineer and a mechanical engineer. Additionally, a controls design engineer has an average salary of $90,850, which is higher than the $75,352 average annual salary of a mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for a controls design engineer include autocad, PLC and CAD. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Controls Design Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $90,850 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $43.68 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 95,461 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
It is the responsibility of a controls design engineer to research and design a company's new systems and products. Controls design engineers oversee the production of complicated equipment and systems. They perform tests and analyze the design use associated with the system's element function. Part of their job is to seek consistent system results and operation within specific tolerances. They also draft blueprints, oversee manufacturing processes, and establish test prototypes.
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.
Controls design engineers and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Design Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $90,850 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $119,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between a controls design engineer and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Controls Design Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between controls design engineers' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Controls Design Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 6% | 5% |