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The differences between graduate engineers and packaging engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a graduate engineer, becoming a packaging engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a packaging engineer has an average salary of $88,452, 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 packaging engineer are CAD, project management, and solidworks.
| Graduate Engineer | Packaging Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $70,395 | $88,452 |
| Hourly rate | $33.84 | $42.52 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 98,584 | 54,028 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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.
A Packaging Engineer plans and implements packaging designs to ensure product integrity and appeal. Their primary duties include supervising and managing the complete packaging development process, analyzing engineering drawings, and conducting periodic vendor reviews.
Graduate engineers and packaging engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graduate Engineer | Packaging Engineer | |
| Average salary | $70,395 | $88,452 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $89,000 | Between $65,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a graduate engineer and a packaging engineer in terms of educational background:
| Graduate Engineer | Packaging Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Engineering And Industrial Management |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between graduate engineers' and packaging engineers' demographics:
| Graduate Engineer | Packaging Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.3% Female, 22.7% | Male, 77.1% Female, 22.9% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 13.1% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 4% |