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The differences between mechanical engineering interns and mechanical designers 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 engineering internship and a mechanical designer. Additionally, a mechanical designer has an average salary of $62,541, 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 designer are mechanical design, revit, and auto cad.
| Mechanical Engineering Internship | Mechanical Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $42,749 | $62,541 |
| Hourly rate | $20.55 | $30.07 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 115,512 | 65,748 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Associate Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
A mechanical designer is responsible for designing mechanical equipment and devices, together with the engineers and other technology professionals. Mechanical designers create layouts following the clients' specifications, perform structural analysis, and analyze dimensions to ensure quality. They also inspect overall equipment performance and recommend adjustments as needed to improve its quality and boost optimization. Mechanical designers assist with installation and system upgrades, respond with the clients' inquiries and concerns, and escalate it to the appropriate personnel for resolution. A mechanical designer must have a strong knowledge of the mechanical and technology industry to build designs according to the highest standards.
Mechanical engineering interns and mechanical designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Engineering Internship | Mechanical Designer | |
| Average salary | $42,749 | $62,541 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $54,000 | Between $46,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Illinois | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | CDM Smith | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Energy |
There are a few differences between a mechanical engineering internship and a mechanical designer in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Engineering Internship | Mechanical Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Associate Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Drafting And Design |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between mechanical engineering interns' and mechanical designers' demographics:
| Mechanical Engineering Internship | Mechanical Designer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.2% Female, 12.8% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| 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, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 10.5% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |