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The differences between mechanical inspectors and mechanical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a mechanical engineer has an average salary of $75,352, which is higher than the $49,727 average annual salary of a mechanical inspector.
The top three skills for a mechanical inspector include calipers, micrometers and mechanical inspection. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Mechanical Inspector | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $49,727 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $23.91 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 33,863 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
Mechanical inspectors are skilled professionals who are responsible for inspecting the electrical, mechanical, and other systems for commercial and residential buildings. These inspectors are required to inspect equipment such as boilers, HVAC systems, and elevators to ensure they are properly functioning. They must ensure that the works done are following local regulations while investigating reports of code violations. Mechanical inspectors must also interpret engineering drawings and specification requirements while performing quality evaluations on materials to determine the acceptance of products.
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.
Mechanical inspectors and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Inspector | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $49,727 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $67,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Omaha, NE | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Washington |
| Best paying company | PBF Energy | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Government | Energy |
There are a few differences between a mechanical inspector and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Inspector | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between mechanical inspectors' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Mechanical Inspector | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 8.1% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |