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The differences between manufacturing engineering interns and student 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 manufacturing engineering internship, becoming a student engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a student engineer has an average salary of $71,947, which is higher than the $53,047 average annual salary of a manufacturing engineering internship.
The top three skills for a manufacturing engineering internship include continuous improvement, lean manufacturing and CAD. The most important skills for a student engineer are GPA, C++, and CAD.
| Manufacturing Engineering Internship | Student Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $53,047 | $71,947 |
| Hourly rate | $25.50 | $34.59 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 125,868 | 98,036 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A manufacturing engineering intern is responsible for assisting the manufacturing engineers on the plant's daily operations, analyzing the manufacturing process and procedures, and recommending strategic solutions to maximize productivity and minimize costs. Manufacturing engineering interns shadow the production staff, inspect the tools and equipment of the manufacturing, analyze the quality control documentation, and perform related administrative tasks to familiarize themselves with the plant structure. A manufacturing engineering intern must have excellent communication and organization skills, as well as the ability to adapt quickly to a fast-paced environment.
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.
Manufacturing engineering interns and student engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manufacturing Engineering Internship | Student Engineer | |
| Average salary | $53,047 | $71,947 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $68,000 | Between $54,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kirkland, WA | Yakima, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Anheuser-Busch | JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a manufacturing engineering internship and a student engineer in terms of educational background:
| Manufacturing Engineering Internship | Student Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between manufacturing engineering interns' and student engineers' demographics:
| Manufacturing Engineering Internship | Student Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.3% Female, 18.7% | Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 15.1% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 4% | 5% |