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The differences between manufacturing quality 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 quality 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 $89,693 average annual salary of a manufacturing quality engineer.
The top three skills for a manufacturing quality engineer include continuous improvement, corrective action and sigma. The most important skills for a tool engineer are python, java, and CAD.
| Manufacturing Quality Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $89,693 | $101,135 |
| Hourly rate | $43.12 | $48.62 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 111,968 | 98,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A manufacturing quality engineer is in charge of designing and developing quality control programs to meet the standard procedures and products of a company. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current programs and systems, identifying the needs of manufacturing plants and its workforce, and upgrading existing systems. One may also address issues and concerns, performing corrective measures as needed. Furthermore, as a manufacturing quality engineer, it is essential to conduct regular inspections to maintain a safe and efficient work environment for everyone.
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 quality engineers and tool engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manufacturing Quality Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average salary | $89,693 | $101,135 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $122,000 | Between $75,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | Pleasanton, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a manufacturing quality engineer and a tool engineer in terms of educational background:
| Manufacturing Quality Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | 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 quality engineers' and tool engineers' demographics:
| Manufacturing Quality Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.1% 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% |