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The differences between lead application 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 lead application engineer and a tool engineer. Additionally, a lead application engineer has an average salary of $111,059, which is higher than the $101,135 average annual salary of a tool engineer.
The top three skills for a lead application engineer include java, C++ and infrastructure. The most important skills for a tool engineer are python, java, and CAD.
| Lead Application Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $111,059 | $101,135 |
| Hourly rate | $53.39 | $48.62 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 186,619 | 98,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An Application Engineers is responsible for monitoring and ensuring that all the application and software of a client is functioning well. They are the one who develops new engineering software and hardware that leads to innovation and technology. This person has practical communication skills since they need to interact with clients to determine the scope of the project and create a reasonable solution. An Application Engineer possesses skills in a wide range of technical concerns regarding software hardware. Typically, they can be seen different departments like manufacturing, marketing as well as customer services.
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.
Lead application engineers and tool engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Application Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average salary | $111,059 | $101,135 |
| Salary range | Between $85,000 And $144,000 | Between $75,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | California |
| Best paying company | Lyft | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a lead application engineer and a tool engineer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Application Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between lead application engineers' and tool engineers' demographics:
| Lead Application Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2% | Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.5% White, 68.1% 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% |