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The differences between lead design engineers and project 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 design engineer and a project engineer. Additionally, a lead design engineer has an average salary of $108,490, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.
The top three skills for a lead design engineer include CAD, project management and lead design. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.
| Lead Design Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $108,490 | $75,050 |
| Hourly rate | $52.16 | $36.08 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 118,073 | 176,689 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A Lead Design Engineer produces design solutions that can be purchased, installed, and commissioned effectively. They are also responsible for the cost-effectiviness and safety of new designs.
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.
Lead design engineers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Design Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $108,490 | $75,050 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $143,000 | Between $55,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Agriculture | Energy |
There are a few differences between a lead design engineer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Design Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between lead design engineers' and project engineers' demographics:
| Lead Design Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 15.5% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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% |