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The differences between engineers and project engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an engineer and a project engineer. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.
The top three skills for an engineer include python, cloud and C++. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.
| Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,077 | $75,050 |
| Hourly rate | $44.27 | $36.08 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 618,207 | 176,689 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.33 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
Engineers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,077 | $75,050 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $130,000 | Between $55,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Huntsville, AL | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | Washington |
| Best paying company | Fort Bend County | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between an engineer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between engineers' and project engineers' demographics:
| Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| 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, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |