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The differences between laser engineers and project engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a laser engineer, becoming a project engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a laser engineer has an average salary of $85,319, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.
The top three skills for a laser engineer include MATLAB, data collection and labview. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.
| Laser Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $85,319 | $75,050 |
| Hourly rate | $41.02 | $36.08 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 4,901 | 176,689 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A laser engineer is one who specializes in making and developing laser devices or machines that is for laser purposes. They supervises the laser team in operating and ensuring that all laser-related equipment is functioning well. They can also specialize in doing advanced optics or optic devices. Their responsibilities include the regular monitoring and optimization of laser outputs as well as finding out a reasonable solution on how to handles laser issues that will be arising.
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
Laser engineers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laser Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $85,319 | $75,050 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $116,000 | Between $55,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Booz Allen Hamilton | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a laser engineer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Laser Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Physics | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between laser engineers' and project engineers' demographics:
| Laser Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 18.0% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |