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The differences between graduate engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a graduate engineer and an engineer. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $70,395 average annual salary of a graduate engineer.
The top three skills for a graduate engineer include civil 3d, cost estimates and project management. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Graduate Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $70,395 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $33.84 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 98,584 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A graduate engineer can work in different engineering subspecialties, such as mechanical, civil, chemical, aerospace, and electrical. Most graduate engineers work on projects while under the supervision and directives of a supervisor or senior engineer. Their duties usually involve identifying and understanding project requirements, conducting research and assessments, completing surveys, and preparing models using different tools and software. Additionally, a graduate engineer can also create designs and prototypes according to project requirements and guidelines, producing regular progress reports for supervisors.
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.
Graduate engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graduate Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $70,395 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $89,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a graduate engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Graduate Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between graduate engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Graduate Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.3% Female, 22.7% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 24.9% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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% |