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The differences between engineering interns and student engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become an engineering internship, becoming a student engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a student engineer has an average salary of $71,947, which is higher than the $41,918 average annual salary of an engineering internship.
The top three skills for an engineering internship include engineering intern, python and C++. The most important skills for a student engineer are GPA, C++, and CAD.
| Engineering Internship | Student Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $41,918 | $71,947 |
| Hourly rate | $20.15 | $34.59 |
| Growth rate | - | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 97,722 | 98,036 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 6 |
An engineering intern is responsible for assisting the overall project development under the supervision of a head engineer. Engineering interns' duties vary in every industry but generally include generating reports, analyzing budget goals and cost estimates, reaching out to clients for important updates, and providing project improvement recommendations. Engineering interns must have strong attention to detail, as well as excellent critical-thinking and project management skills. An engineering intern should be able to communicate effectively and use their logical judgments, especially when dealing with adjustments and meeting deadlines.
A student engineer is an individual who trains to become a full pledge professional engineer by gaining working experience in the field of engineering. By using their knowledge in the principles of science and mathematics, student engineers should help other professionals develop economical solutions and solve technical problems. They are required to engage themselves in the testing, production, or maintenance of newly developed products. Student engineers are also required to work closely with their senior managers or supervisors.
Engineering interns and student engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineering Internship | Student Engineer | |
| Average salary | $41,918 | $71,947 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $63,000 | Between $54,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Yakima, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Cisco | JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Transportation |
There are a few differences between an engineering internship and a student engineer in terms of educational background:
| Engineering Internship | Student Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between engineering interns' and student engineers' demographics:
| Engineering Internship | Student Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% | Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 11.2% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 15.9% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |