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The differences between engineers and manufacturing engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an engineer, becoming a manufacturing engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $78,522 average annual salary of a manufacturing engineer.
The top three skills for an engineer include python, cloud and C++. The most important skills for a manufacturing engineer are lean manufacturing, CAD, and solidworks.
| Engineer | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,077 | $78,522 |
| Hourly rate | $44.27 | $37.75 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 618,207 | 115,384 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.33 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 41 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for handling and developing an efficient manufacturing system or procedure that will help a company produce up to standard products while in adherence to the policies, regulations, and expected cost and schedule. Furthermore, Manufacturing Engineers must also monitor quality control, identify or detect errors, provide and suggest improvements, oversee the procurement of materials involved in the production, and coordinate with various teams or departments within the company to ensure the effectiveness of innovations or new developments.
Engineers and manufacturing engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineer | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,077 | $78,522 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $130,000 | Between $60,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Huntsville, AL | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | California |
| Best paying company | Fort Bend County | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an engineer and a manufacturing engineer in terms of educational background:
| Engineer | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between engineers' and manufacturing engineers' demographics:
| Engineer | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% | Male, 88.8% Female, 11.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 17.0% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |