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The differences between tool design engineers and mechanical 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 tool design engineer and a mechanical engineer. Additionally, a tool design engineer has an average salary of $76,918, which is higher than the $75,352 average annual salary of a mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for a tool design engineer include solidworks, jigs and GD. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Tool Design Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,918 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $36.98 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 114,478 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Tool Design Engineers are responsible for the design of new tools as well as making improvements to existing ones. They are responsible for drafting schematics and blueprints, determining tool specifications and production as well as carrying out calculations to establish tools cost, materials, and dimensions. Other duties include communicating with suppliers to implement tool modifications, tracking performance targets, and conducting cost budgeting. A good Tool Design Engineer aims to reduce tool breakdowns and minimize maintenance costs.
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.
Tool design engineers and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tool Design Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,918 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $102,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a tool design engineer and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Tool Design Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between tool design engineers' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Tool Design Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 10.3% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 5% | 5% |