Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between technicians and mechanical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a technician, becoming a mechanical engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a mechanical engineer has an average salary of $75,352, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for a technician include patients, customer service and patient care. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Technician | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $38,045 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $18.29 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 596,842 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | 2 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
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.
Technicians and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technician | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $38,045 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $58,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Washington |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Energy |
There are a few differences between a technician and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Technician | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Business | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between technicians' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Technician | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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% |