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The differences between materials research engineers and mechanical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a materials research engineer has an average salary of $87,100, which is higher than the $75,352 average annual salary of a mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for a materials research engineer include materials research, research projects and characterization techniques. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Materials Research Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,100 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $41.88 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 82,912 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
A materials research engineer researches, processes, and develops test materials used to create a wide range of products. They must be good in analytical, mechanical, and math skills. They are likely to perform in their role such as formulating their own project concepts, executing technology projects about the development of novel polymer fiber-reinforced composites, and identifying unknown material compositions. Also, they implement powder processing equipment and manufacture tools to improve their efficiency and quality.
Mechanical Engineers oversee the development of various mechanical devices in different industries. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around crafting, improving, or designing technologies by utilizing extensive expertise in the subject; they identify and detect errors, provide in-depth analysis, and resolve issues. They are often in designated offices, but they can also work on-site and travel if necessary. Furthermore, Mechanical Engineers usually function in a group or team setting, often supervised by personnel in higher positions.
Materials research engineers and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Materials Research Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,100 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $111,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Beaverton, OR | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Nike | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a materials research engineer and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Materials Research Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Materials Science And Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between materials research engineers' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Materials Research Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.1% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 19.6% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 5% |