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The differences between mechanical engineering interns and mechanical design drafters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a mechanical engineering internship, becoming a mechanical design drafter takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mechanical design drafter has an average salary of $58,371, which is higher than the $42,749 average annual salary of a mechanical engineering internship.
The top three skills for a mechanical engineering internship include solidworks, powerpoint and mechanical design. The most important skills for a mechanical design drafter are design layouts, creo, and assembly drawings.
| Mechanical Engineering Internship | Mechanical Design Drafter | |
| Yearly salary | $42,749 | $58,371 |
| Hourly rate | $20.55 | $28.06 |
| Growth rate | 2% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 115,512 | 54,189 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
One of the primary responsibilities in a mechanical engineering internship is to follow directives from engineers and managers while gaining practical experience. There are instances when an intern must take part in crafting various materials under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, produce reports and paperwork, operate tools and devices, and provide assistance should anyone need. Furthermore, it is essential to report to managers and supervisors if any issues arise.
Mechanical design drafter develops detailed mechanical equipment designs and specifications needed for assembly and modifies them to repair defects and to minimize problems in the production. He/she often works with architects and engineers either in an office or via job sites with hands-on experience in computer-aided design (CAD) software and building processes, visual aptitude, and mathematical skills. However, the demand for drafters tempered as CAD and building information modeling (BIM) technologies allows architects and engineers to perform tasks that are usually done by a mechanical design drafter.
Mechanical engineering interns and mechanical design drafters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Engineering Internship | Mechanical Design Drafter | |
| Average salary | $42,749 | $58,371 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $54,000 | Between $45,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | Fremont, CA |
| Highest paying state | Illinois | California |
| Best paying company | CDM Smith | Salt River Project |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Technology |
There are a few differences between a mechanical engineering internship and a mechanical design drafter in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Engineering Internship | Mechanical Design Drafter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between mechanical engineering interns' and mechanical design drafters' demographics:
| Mechanical Engineering Internship | Mechanical Design Drafter | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.2% Female, 12.8% | Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 73.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |