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The differences between diesel engineers and principal 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 diesel engineer and a principal engineer. Additionally, a principal engineer has an average salary of $130,213, which is higher than the $100,487 average annual salary of a diesel engineer.
The top three skills for a diesel engineer include MATLAB, data acquisition and inca. The most important skills for a principal engineer are java, architecture, and python.
| Diesel Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $100,487 | $130,213 |
| Hourly rate | $48.31 | $62.60 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 104,322 | 312,683 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A diesel Engineer inspects, maintains, and repairs diesel engines. They diagnose engines and examine the engine parts and system machinery to identify the vehicle's right service. These professionals use several tools like pliers, lathes, drills, screwdrivers, wrenches, and grinders to complete their tasks. They measure engine power by using different pieces of testing equipment like dynamometers. Moreover, these professionals rebuild engines or repair starting systems, cylinder heads, fuel-injection systems, large-sized natural gas engines, and turbochargers.
A principal engineer is responsible for monitoring the overall design phase of the construction process, including coordinating with the client for progress and updates, as well as performing adjustments as needed based on clients' specifications and requirements. Principal engineers also inspect the materials and resources used to ensure that the project stays within the budget goals and set timeframe. They should have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in preparing reports and training new staff.
Diesel engineers and principal engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Diesel Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Average salary | $100,487 | $130,213 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $146,000 | Between $95,000 And $177,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Diego, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | FCA US LLC | Grubhub |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a diesel engineer and a principal engineer in terms of educational background:
| Diesel Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between diesel engineers' and principal engineers' demographics:
| Diesel Engineer | Principal Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 11.6% White, 71.1% 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, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |