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The differences between engineering assistants and engineering managers 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 engineering manager takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, an engineering manager has an average salary of $139,328, 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 engineering manager are java, project management, and continuous improvement.
| Engineering Assistant | Engineering Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $64,402 | $139,328 |
| Hourly rate | $30.96 | $66.98 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 53,767 | 67,124 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 45 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
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.
An engineering manager is responsible for managing the overall concept of engineering and construction projects, ensuring that the plan meets the budget goals and the client's specifications. Engineering managers approve designs, plan strategic procedures to follow the project's timetable, analyze current market trends, hire the best and efficient contractors, and coordinate with the clients for any changes and adjustments as needed. An engineering manager must have excellent knowledge of engineering disciplines, as well as leadership and communication skills, monitoring the team's performance throughout the project.
Engineering assistants and engineering managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineering Assistant | Engineering Manager | |
| Average salary | $64,402 | $139,328 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $99,000 | Between $99,000 And $195,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Mixpanel | |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an engineering assistant and an engineering manager in terms of educational background:
| Engineering Assistant | Engineering Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Business | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between engineering assistants' and engineering managers' demographics:
| Engineering Assistant | Engineering Manager | |
| Average age | 45 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.8% Female, 31.2% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.2% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 9% |