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The differences between mechanical engineers and equipment 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 engineer and an equipment engineer. Additionally, an equipment engineer has an average salary of $97,539, which is higher than the $75,352 average annual salary of a mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for a mechanical engineer include CAD, solidworks and mechanical systems. The most important skills for an equipment engineer are equipment performance, semiconductor, and project management.
| Mechanical Engineer | Equipment Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $75,352 | $97,539 |
| Hourly rate | $36.23 | $46.89 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 105,618 | 108,449 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
The duties of an equipment engineer depend on one's organization or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around designing and developing mechanical and electronic equipment, analyzing and improving existing systems, performing customization according to customers' preferences, installing and removing attachments, and conducting regular maintenance procedures. An equipment engineer must also address issues and complaints, providing corrective measures promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with team members and other specialists, inspect and test new systems, and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
Mechanical engineers and equipment engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Engineer | Equipment Engineer | |
| Average salary | $75,352 | $97,539 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $97,000 | Between $69,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Fremont, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Louisiana |
| Best paying company | Meta | Cheniere Energy |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a mechanical engineer and an equipment engineer in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Engineer | Equipment Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between mechanical engineers' and equipment engineers' demographics:
| Mechanical Engineer | Equipment Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 15.1% White, 68.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |