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The differences between laboratory 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 laboratory engineer and a student engineer. Additionally, a laboratory engineer has an average salary of $92,242, which is higher than the $71,947 average annual salary of a student engineer.
The top three skills for a laboratory engineer include C++, lab environment and UL. The most important skills for a student engineer are GPA, C++, and CAD.
| Laboratory Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,242 | $71,947 |
| Hourly rate | $44.35 | $34.59 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 121,212 | 98,036 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A laboratory engineer specializes in designing and developing tools and machinery for laboratory operations, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include installing and maintaining equipment, performing extensive research and analysis, coordinating with other experts, and identifying areas needing improvement, implementing solutions as required. They must also conduct regular maintenance checks on systems, performing corrective measures promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a laboratory engineer, it is essential to provide technical support while implementing the facility's policies and regulations.
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.
Laboratory engineers and student engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,242 | $71,947 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $135,000 | Between $54,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Yakima, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a laboratory engineer and a student engineer in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between laboratory engineers' and student engineers' demographics:
| Laboratory Engineer | Student Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% | Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 14.6% White, 68.5% 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% |