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The differences between mechanical design engineers and tool engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a mechanical design engineer and a tool engineer. Additionally, a tool engineer has an average salary of $101,135, which is higher than the $75,821 average annual salary of a mechanical design engineer.
The top three skills for a mechanical design engineer include CAD, mechanical design and GD. The most important skills for a tool engineer are python, java, and CAD.
| Mechanical Design Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $75,821 | $101,135 |
| Hourly rate | $36.45 | $48.62 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 120,258 | 98,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A mechanical design engineer specializes in designing various mechanical devices that will be vital in developing machinery or large structures. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around conducting thorough research and analysis, establishing layouts and prototypes, producing progress reports, and working alongside fellow engineers and skilled professionals. Typically assigned in an office setting, a mechanical design engineer must visit construction sites or factories to test and observe equipment qualities. Furthermore, during production, there are instances when a mechanical engineer must coordinate with suppliers, contractors, and clients.
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.
Mechanical design engineers and tool engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Design Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average salary | $75,821 | $101,135 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $96,000 | Between $75,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a mechanical design engineer and a tool engineer in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Design Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between mechanical design engineers' and tool engineers' demographics:
| Mechanical Design Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% | Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 16.4% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 5% | 5% |