Rocket engine tester vs mechanical inspector

The differences between rocket engine testers and mechanical inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a rocket engine tester has an average salary of $55,241, which is higher than the $49,727 average annual salary of a mechanical inspector.

The top three skills for a rocket engine tester include mechanical design, CAD and . The most important skills for a mechanical inspector are calipers, micrometers, and mechanical inspection.

Rocket engine tester vs mechanical inspector overview

	Rocket Engine Tester	Mechanical Inspector
Yearly salary	$55,241	$49,727
Hourly rate	$26.56	$23.91
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	8,659	33,863
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Associate Degree, 30%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Rocket engine tester vs mechanical inspector salary

Rocket engine testers and mechanical inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Rocket Engine Tester	Mechanical Inspector
Average salary	$55,241	$49,727
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $113,000	Between $36,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	-	Omaha, NE
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	PBF Energy
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between rocket engine tester and mechanical inspector education

There are a few differences between a rocket engine tester and a mechanical inspector in terms of educational background:

	Rocket Engine Tester	Mechanical Inspector
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Associate Degree, 30%
Most common major	Mechanical Engineering	Mechanical Engineering
Most common college	-	-

Rocket engine tester vs mechanical inspector demographics

Here are the differences between rocket engine testers' and mechanical inspectors' demographics:

	Rocket Engine Tester	Mechanical Inspector
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3%	Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between rocket engine tester and mechanical inspector duties and responsibilities

Rocket engine tester example responsibilities.

Work with the inter-departments with DOD, OHSA, and EPA to submit proposal for a new heavy lift vehicle.
Work closely with NASA customers and ATK personnel to recommend solutions to difficult issues in redesign.
Ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Mechanical inspector example responsibilities.

Inspect parts to blueprints using all measuring equipment; micrometer, surface plate, calipers, customer certifications and P.O.
Review vendor supply certifications and first article inspection reports for accurate completion of documentation.
Draft ISO's as needed.
Adhere to FDA and ISO compliance.
Assemble composite assemblies in jigs.
Program and operate Mitutoyo CMM.

Rocket engine tester vs mechanical inspector skills

Common rocket engine tester skills

Mechanical Design, 62%
CAD, 38%

Common mechanical inspector skills

Calipers, 10%
Micrometers, 9%
Mechanical Inspection, 8%
GD, 6%
Engineering Drawings, 6%
Aerospace, 4%

Rocket Engine Tester vs. similar jobs

Rocket Engine Tester related careers

Rocket Engine Tester related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Rocket Engine Tester
Rocket Engine Tester vs Mechanical Inspector

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs