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The differences between tool design engineers and project 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 project engineer. Additionally, a tool design engineer has an average salary of $76,918, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.
The top three skills for a tool design engineer include solidworks, jigs and GD. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.
| Tool Design Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,918 | $75,050 |
| Hourly rate | $36.98 | $36.08 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 114,478 | 176,689 |
| 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.
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
Tool design engineers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tool Design Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,918 | $75,050 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $102,000 | Between $55,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cupertino, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a tool design engineer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Tool Design Engineer | Project 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 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between tool design engineers' and project engineers' demographics:
| Tool Design Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| 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, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |