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The differences between millwrights and mechanical 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 millwright and a mechanical engineer. Additionally, a mechanical engineer has an average salary of $75,352, which is higher than the $51,176 average annual salary of a millwright.
The top three skills for a millwright include hand tools, hoists and dismantle. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Millwright | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $51,176 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $24.60 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 102,942 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 49 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A millwright is responsible for maintaining and operating machinery from necessary to advanced systems. Millwrights install and upgrade machine components for optimization through analyzing blueprints and specifications. They calibrate machinery and run diagnostic tests to ensure all equipment's high-quality performance for safe and smooth operations. A millwright must adhere to the workplace's safety procedures all the time to prevent hazards and delays. A millwright must have a broad knowledge of the technical and mechanical industry to set up equipment and repair defective machines.
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.
Millwrights and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Millwright | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $51,176 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $72,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lincoln, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Washington |
| Best paying company | CVR Energy | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Energy |
There are a few differences between a millwright and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Millwright | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between millwrights' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Millwright | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 49 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 1.1% White, 81.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 2% | 5% |