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The differences between special project engineers and project lead engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a special project engineer, becoming a project lead engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a project lead engineer has an average salary of $106,946, which is higher than the $70,934 average annual salary of a special project engineer.
The top three skills for a special project engineer include DOD, design changes and engineering support. The most important skills for a project lead engineer are project management, renewable energy, and project execution.
| Special Project Engineer | Project Lead Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $70,934 | $106,946 |
| Hourly rate | $34.10 | $51.42 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 90,999 | 98,018 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A special project engineer is in-charged in the preparation, scheduling, coordination, and monitoring of engineering projects. He/She or she should be able to establish good relationships with prospective clients to gain information on engineering requirements and delegate tasks to staff. The core skills that a special project engineer should possess include good creative ability and excellent mechanical and listening skills. Other requirements to qualify for the position include a college degree in business or mechanical engineering.
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.
Special project engineers and project lead engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Project Engineer | Project Lead Engineer | |
| Average salary | $70,934 | $106,946 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $95,000 | Between $78,000 And $146,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, CA | Cupertino, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a special project engineer and a project lead engineer in terms of educational background:
| Special Project Engineer | Project Lead Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Business | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between special project engineers' and project lead engineers' demographics:
| Special Project Engineer | Project Lead Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% | Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |