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The differences between junior mechanical engineers and tool 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 tool engineer. Additionally, a tool engineer has an average salary of $101,135, 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 tool engineer are python, java, and CAD.
| Junior Mechanical Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $69,855 | $101,135 |
| Hourly rate | $33.58 | $48.62 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 87,397 | 98,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| 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 tooling engineer is responsible for creating and adjusting tools or parts for cars, heavy equipment, and other products that need customized or personalized components. Your duties and responsibilities will include creating design blueprints, using computer-aided (CAD) software to develop two- and three-dimensional prints, and validating and evaluating products. As a tooling engineer, it is your responsibility to ensure compliance with operational standards such as the ISO 9000. You also have to provide technical assistance to manufacturing personnel and quality assurance.
Junior mechanical engineers and tool engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Mechanical Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average salary | $69,855 | $101,135 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $86,000 | Between $75,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Eaton | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a junior mechanical engineer and a tool engineer in terms of educational background:
| Junior Mechanical Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between junior mechanical engineers' and tool engineers' demographics:
| Junior Mechanical Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1% | Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7% |
| 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, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |