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The differences between industrial engineering technicians and mechanical engineering technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an industrial engineering technician, becoming a mechanical engineering technologist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a mechanical engineering technologist has an average salary of $57,409, which is higher than the $55,055 average annual salary of an industrial engineering technician.
The top three skills for an industrial engineering technician include process improvement, continuous improvement and CAD. The most important skills for a mechanical engineering technologist are CAD, solidworks, and prototype.
| Industrial Engineering Technician | Mechanical Engineering Technologist | |
| Yearly salary | $55,055 | $57,409 |
| Hourly rate | $26.47 | $27.60 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 74,490 | 120,125 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Industrial Engineering Technicians help industrial engineers to devise efficient devices that integrate materials, energy, information, workers, and machines. They plan workflows, develop machinery layouts, prepare equipment layouts, analyze company production costs, and participate in statistical production studies. These professionals suggest revisions to equipment layout, operation, or material handling methods. They also interpret engineering formulas, schematic diagrams, and drawings. Moreover, they work with engineering and management staff members to determine reliability or quality standards.
A Mechanical Engineering Technologist is responsible for developing and assembling mechanical parts and components, following the head engineer's design specifications. They identify resources for manufacturing, ensuring that the deliverables follow the high-quality standards and requirements. They also analyze the design and recommend adjustments for outputs, if there are any. A Mechanical Engineering Technologist operates various mechanical tools and equipment to perform tasks efficiently, requiring strict adherence to the safety protocols and regulations within the operational premises.
Industrial engineering technicians and mechanical engineering technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Industrial Engineering Technician | Mechanical Engineering Technologist | |
| Average salary | $55,055 | $57,409 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $74,000 | Between $43,000 And $76,000 |
| Highest paying City | LaGrange, GA | Santa Clara, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Tesla | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an industrial engineering technician and a mechanical engineering technologist in terms of educational background:
| Industrial Engineering Technician | Mechanical Engineering Technologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Industrial Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between industrial engineering technicians' and mechanical engineering technologists' demographics:
| Industrial Engineering Technician | Mechanical Engineering Technologist | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.2% Female, 23.8% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 9.2% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |