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The differences between mechanical engineering technologists and manufacturing engineers 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 technologist, becoming a manufacturing engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a manufacturing engineer has an average salary of $78,522, which is higher than the $57,409 average annual salary of a mechanical engineering technologist.
The top three skills for a mechanical engineering technologist include CAD, solidworks and prototype. The most important skills for a manufacturing engineer are lean manufacturing, CAD, and solidworks.
| Mechanical Engineering Technologist | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $57,409 | $78,522 |
| Hourly rate | $27.60 | $37.75 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 120,125 | 115,384 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A Mechanical Engineering Technologist is responsible for developing and assembling mechanical parts and components, following the head engineer's design specifications. They identify resources for manufacturing, ensuring that the deliverables follow the high-quality standards and requirements. They also analyze the design and recommend adjustments for outputs, if there are any. A Mechanical Engineering Technologist operates various mechanical tools and equipment to perform tasks efficiently, requiring strict adherence to the safety protocols and regulations within the operational premises.
Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for handling and developing an efficient manufacturing system or procedure that will help a company produce up to standard products while in adherence to the policies, regulations, and expected cost and schedule. Furthermore, Manufacturing Engineers must also monitor quality control, identify or detect errors, provide and suggest improvements, oversee the procurement of materials involved in the production, and coordinate with various teams or departments within the company to ensure the effectiveness of innovations or new developments.
Mechanical engineering technologists and manufacturing engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Engineering Technologist | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Average salary | $57,409 | $78,522 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $76,000 | Between $60,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Clara, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a mechanical engineering technologist and a manufacturing engineer in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Engineering Technologist | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between mechanical engineering technologists' and manufacturing engineers' demographics:
| Mechanical Engineering Technologist | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% | Male, 88.8% Female, 11.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 9.2% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 17.0% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |