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The differences between hydraulic 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 hydraulic engineer and a mechanical engineer. Additionally, a hydraulic engineer has an average salary of $84,440, which is higher than the $75,352 average annual salary of a mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for a hydraulic engineer include hec ras, civil engineering and HEC-RAS. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Hydraulic Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $84,440 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $40.60 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 91,749 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Hydraulics engineers are engineering professionals who design projects that are related to the movement and control of fluids. These engineers must perform many studies to understand water systems and design dams, drainage systems, and levees for the local government. They are required to participate in the water resources and flood control planning by creating a deep foundation and flood control structure designs. Hydraulics must also communicate with clients and governing bodies to address their concerns about stormwater and erosion.
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.
Hydraulic engineers and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hydraulic Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $84,440 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $118,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Phillips 66 | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a hydraulic engineer and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Hydraulic Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between hydraulic engineers' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Hydraulic Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 14.9% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 5% | 5% |