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The differences between junior mechanical engineers and student 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 junior mechanical engineer and a student engineer. Additionally, a student engineer has an average salary of $71,947, which is higher than the $69,855 average annual salary of a junior mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for a junior mechanical engineer include mechanical engineering, solidworks and mechanical systems. The most important skills for a student engineer are GPA, C++, and CAD.
| Junior Mechanical Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $69,855 | $71,947 |
| Hourly rate | $33.58 | $34.59 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 87,397 | 98,036 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A junior mechanical engineer is responsible for designing tools and equipment under the supervision of a senior mechanical engineer. Junior mechanical engineers assist in building project plans with the whole team from its conceptualization to final deliverables, following client specifications and business requirements according to budget limitations and deadlines. They also submit precise measurements, including the cost of materials and schematics. A junior mechanical engineer must have excellent technical, mechanical, and analytical skills, especially on writing detailed progress reports and adjust design plans as needed.
A student engineer is an individual who trains to become a full pledge professional engineer by gaining working experience in the field of engineering. By using their knowledge in the principles of science and mathematics, student engineers should help other professionals develop economical solutions and solve technical problems. They are required to engage themselves in the testing, production, or maintenance of newly developed products. Student engineers are also required to work closely with their senior managers or supervisors.
Junior mechanical engineers and student engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Mechanical Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Average salary | $69,855 | $71,947 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $86,000 | Between $54,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Yakima, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Eaton | JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a junior mechanical engineer and a student engineer in terms of educational background:
| Junior Mechanical Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between junior mechanical engineers' and student engineers' demographics:
| Junior Mechanical Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1% | Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.1% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 15.9% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |