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The differences between mechanic drivers and mechanical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a mechanic driver, becoming a mechanical engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a mechanical engineer has an average salary of $75,352, which is higher than the $47,243 average annual salary of a mechanic driver.
The top three skills for a mechanic driver include tractor trailer, CDL and dump truck. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Mechanic Driver | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $47,243 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $22.71 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 116,538 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
Mechanic drivers and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanic Driver | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $47,243 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $64,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Washington |
| Best paying company | - | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a mechanic driver and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Mechanic Driver | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between mechanic drivers' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Mechanic Driver | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 2.5% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | 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 | 2% | 5% |