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The differences between project lead engineers and tool engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a project lead engineer, becoming a tool engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a project lead engineer has an average salary of $106,946, which is higher than the $101,135 average annual salary of a tool engineer.
The top three skills for a project lead engineer include project management, renewable energy and project execution. The most important skills for a tool engineer are python, java, and CAD.
| Project Lead Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $106,946 | $101,135 |
| Hourly rate | $51.42 | $48.62 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 98,018 | 98,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Project lead engineers are engineering professionals who are responsible for leading other professionals in completing a particular project. These engineers must develop a project management framework to be implemented throughout the organization based on the inputs from internal stakeholders and team members. They are required to train junior team members so that they can provide proper technical support functions. Project lead engineers must also prepare and review cost estimates for a variety of projects during bidding, construction, and post-construction phases.
A tooling engineer is responsible for creating and adjusting tools or parts for cars, heavy equipment, and other products that need customized or personalized components. Your duties and responsibilities will include creating design blueprints, using computer-aided (CAD) software to develop two- and three-dimensional prints, and validating and evaluating products. As a tooling engineer, it is your responsibility to ensure compliance with operational standards such as the ISO 9000. You also have to provide technical assistance to manufacturing personnel and quality assurance.
Project lead engineers and tool engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Project Lead Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average salary | $106,946 | $101,135 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $146,000 | Between $75,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a project lead engineer and a tool engineer in terms of educational background:
| Project Lead Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between project lead engineers' and tool engineers' demographics:
| Project Lead Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2% | Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 15.2% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |