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The differences between engineering assistants and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an engineering assistant, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $64,402 average annual salary of an engineering assistant.
The top three skills for an engineering assistant include troubleshoot, C++ and worksheets. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Engineering Assistant | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $64,402 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $30.96 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 53,767 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
An engineering assistant is responsible for supporting the engineering department's operations under the supervision of a head engineer. Engineering assistants help with operating tools and equipment, developing and analyzing designs, communicating with clients by responding to their inquiries and concerns, creating project plans, and identifying business opportunities to generate revenues and increase profitability. An engineering assistant must have excellent knowledge of the engineering disciplines and processes to carry out tasks within strict deadlines and under minimal supervision.
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.
Engineering assistants and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineering Assistant | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $64,402 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $99,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Fort Bend County | |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an engineering assistant and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Engineering Assistant | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between engineering assistants' and engineers' demographics:
| Engineering Assistant | Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.8% Female, 31.2% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 11.2% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |