Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between engineering associates and research engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an engineering associate, becoming a research engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a research engineer has an average salary of $96,945, which is higher than the $70,657 average annual salary of an engineering associate.
The top three skills for an engineering associate include python, java and CAD. The most important skills for a research engineer are python, java, and software development.
| Engineering Associate | Research Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $70,657 | $96,945 |
| Hourly rate | $33.97 | $46.61 |
| Growth rate | - | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 87,421 | 136,763 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 50 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
An engineering associate is an individual whose job duties include analysis of project plans, development of product designs, and maintenance of equipment. The engineering fields where an engineering associate can find a job include civil, mechanical, and environmental. The requirements to qualify for the position include obtaining a bachelor's degree in engineering, familiarity with a specific industry, prior work experience related to the field, and possessing strong technical skills.
Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.
Engineering associates and research engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineering Associate | Research Engineer | |
| Average salary | $70,657 | $96,945 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $101,000 | Between $67,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Start-up |
There are a few differences between an engineering associate and a research engineer in terms of educational background:
| Engineering Associate | Research Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between engineering associates' and research engineers' demographics:
| Engineering Associate | Research Engineer | |
| Average age | 50 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.8% Female, 19.2% | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |