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The differences between mechanical technicians and mechanical design 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 technician and a mechanical design engineer. Additionally, a mechanical design engineer has an average salary of $75,821, which is higher than the $51,367 average annual salary of a mechanical technician.
The top three skills for a mechanical technician include preventive maintenance, hand tools and electro-mechanical. The most important skills for a mechanical design engineer are CAD, mechanical design, and GD.
| Mechanical Technician | Mechanical Design Engineer | |
| Yearly Salary | $51,367 | $75,821 |
| Hourly rate | $24.70 | $36.45 |
| Growth Rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number Of Jobs | 106,997 | 120,258 |
| Job Satisfaction | - | - |
| Most Common Degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average Age | 45 | 41 |
| Years Of Experience | 6 | 6 |
The primary job of mechanical technicians is to help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture mechanical devices such as machines and engines. They typically do varied tasks, including evaluating design sketches for new and changing tools, discussing changes with colleagues, and reviewing blueprints and instructions for projects. As a mechanical technician, you are also responsible for estimating equipment life, plant space, and labor costs. To become successful in this role, you need to have an associate degree in mechanical engineering technology, excellent communication skills, and mechanical skills.
A mechanical design engineer specializes in designing various mechanical devices that will be vital in developing machinery or large structures. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around conducting thorough research and analysis, establishing layouts and prototypes, producing progress reports, and working alongside fellow engineers and skilled professionals. Typically assigned in an office setting, a mechanical design engineer must visit construction sites or factories to test and observe equipment qualities. Furthermore, during production, there are instances when a mechanical engineer must coordinate with suppliers, contractors, and clients.
Mechanical technicians and mechanical design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Technician | Mechanical Design Engineer | |
| Average Salary | $51,367 | $75,821 |
| Salary Range | Between $38,000 And $68,000 | Between $59,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest Paying City | Oakland, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest Paying State | Alaska | California |
| Best Paying Company | Meta | Meta |
| Best Paying Industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a mechanical technician and a mechanical design engineer in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Technician | Mechanical Design Engineer | |
| Most Common Degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most Common Major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most Common College | Purdue University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between mechanical technicians' and mechanical design engineers' demographics:
| Mechanical Technician | Mechanical Design Engineer | |
| Average Age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender Ratio | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% |
| Race Ratio | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 7.8% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 16.4% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |