Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between laser engineers and tool 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 tool engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a tool engineer has an average salary of $101,135, which is higher than the $85,319 average annual salary of a laser engineer.
The top three skills for a laser engineer include MATLAB, data collection and labview. The most important skills for a tool engineer are python, java, and CAD.
| Laser Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $85,319 | $101,135 |
| Hourly rate | $41.02 | $48.62 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 4,901 | 98,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| 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 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.
Laser engineers and tool engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laser Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average salary | $85,319 | $101,135 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $116,000 | Between $75,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Booz Allen Hamilton | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a laser engineer and a tool engineer in terms of educational background:
| Laser Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Physics | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between laser engineers' and tool engineers' demographics:
| Laser Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2% | Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7% |
| 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, 3.4% 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% |