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The differences between staff mechanical engineers and tool 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 staff mechanical engineer and a tool engineer. Additionally, a staff mechanical engineer has an average salary of $108,997, which is higher than the $101,135 average annual salary of a tool engineer.
The top three skills for a staff mechanical engineer include CAD, mechanical design and solidworks. The most important skills for a tool engineer are python, java, and CAD.
| Staff Mechanical Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $108,997 | $101,135 |
| Hourly rate | $52.40 | $48.62 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 158,987 | 98,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A staff mechanical engineer designs and develops engines, tools, and machinery. Staff mechanical engineers create products like refrigerators, power tools, car engines, and turbines. They take part in cross-departmental and multi-functional design teams. They write handbooks, bulletins, and reports for use by department or staff. They have to lead project management from making ideas to launching the product. The skills they need to know to include mechanical design, product development, electrical systems, and detail orientation.
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.
Staff mechanical engineers and tool engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Staff Mechanical Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average salary | $108,997 | $101,135 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $144,000 | Between $75,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Rivian | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a staff mechanical engineer and a tool engineer in terms of educational background:
| Staff Mechanical Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between staff mechanical engineers' and tool engineers' demographics:
| Staff Mechanical Engineer | Tool Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% | Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 5% | 5% |