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The differences between manufacturing project 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 manufacturing project 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 $82,447 average annual salary of a manufacturing project engineer.
The top three skills for a manufacturing project engineer include project management, lean manufacturing and capital projects. The most important skills for a tool engineer are python, java, and CAD.
| Manufacturing Project Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $82,447 | $101,135 |
| Hourly rate | $39.64 | $48.62 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 70,267 | 98,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A manufacturing project engineer specializes in designing and developing a variety of equipment and systems, ensuring compliance with the industry's laws and standards. It is their duty to determine and identify the needs of every project, conceptualize plans, coordinate with staff and other experts, create prototypes and test structures, and develop guidelines. They may also provide technical support, assess existing systems, and implement solutions when necessary. Furthermore, they must maintain an active communication line with the workforce while implementing the facility's safety policies and regulations.
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.
Manufacturing project engineers and tool engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manufacturing Project Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average salary | $82,447 | $101,135 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $113,000 | Between $75,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Cirrus Aircraft | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Education | Technology |
There are a few differences between a manufacturing project engineer and a tool engineer in terms of educational background:
| Manufacturing Project Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between manufacturing project engineers' and tool engineers' demographics:
| Manufacturing Project Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% | Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 12.7% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 4% | 5% |