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The differences between test & development engineers and product development 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 test & development engineer, becoming a product development engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a product development engineer has an average salary of $86,075, which is higher than the $80,977 average annual salary of a test & development engineer.
The top three skills for a test & development engineer include python, test equipment and test development. The most important skills for a product development engineer are CAD, solidworks, and product development.
| Test & Development Engineer | Product Development Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,977 | $86,075 |
| Hourly rate | $38.93 | $41.38 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 97,438 | 202,155 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A test and development engineer is primarily in charge of developing and conducting quality assurance procedures, ensuring that manufactured products adhere to the company's quality standards and regulations. Their responsibilities include performing research and analysis to identify a company's quality control and assurance needs, examining raw materials and other components, gathering and analyzing data from test procedures, and recommending the best practices and solutions in problem areas. Furthermore, as a test and development engineer, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating every step of the way.
A Product Development Engineer is responsible for creating and testing new product designs. They collaborate with market researchers to evaluate market needs, existing competition, and potential costs.
Test & development engineers and product development engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test & Development Engineer | Product Development Engineer | |
| Average salary | $80,977 | $86,075 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $106,000 | Between $64,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Amazon |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a test & development engineer and a product development engineer in terms of educational background:
| Test & Development Engineer | Product Development Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between test & development engineers' and product development engineers' demographics:
| Test & Development Engineer | Product Development Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.4% Female, 11.6% | Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.7% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 5% |