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The differences between graduate engineers and mechanical 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 a mechanical engineer. Additionally, a mechanical engineer has an average salary of $75,352, 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 a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Graduate Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $70,395 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $33.84 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 98,584 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| 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.
Mechanical Engineers oversee the development of various mechanical devices in different industries. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around crafting, improving, or designing technologies by utilizing extensive expertise in the subject; they identify and detect errors, provide in-depth analysis, and resolve issues. They are often in designated offices, but they can also work on-site and travel if necessary. Furthermore, Mechanical Engineers usually function in a group or team setting, often supervised by personnel in higher positions.
Graduate engineers and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graduate Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $70,395 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $89,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Washington |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Energy |
There are a few differences between a graduate engineer and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Graduate Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between graduate engineers' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Graduate Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.3% Female, 22.7% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |