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The differences between tool engineers and quality engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a tool engineer, becoming a quality engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a tool engineer has an average salary of $101,135, which is higher than the $79,672 average annual salary of a quality engineer.
The top three skills for a tool engineer include python, java and CAD. The most important skills for a quality engineer are corrective action, continuous improvement, and ISO.
| Tool Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $101,135 | $79,672 |
| Hourly rate | $48.62 | $38.30 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 98,936 | 96,838 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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.
A quality engineer's responsibilities include ensuring that the manufacturing processes are efficient and accurate, documenting findings that would raise concerns, conducting quality tests while observing parameters, and implementing changes as necessary to meet the highest quality standards. Quality engineers need to have excellent problem-solving and observation skills to detect any irregularities and possible malfunctions. They also must be able to communicate effectively with the clients for feedbacks and corrective adjustments, address complaints, and immediately resolve any inconsistencies made.
Tool engineers and quality engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tool Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Average salary | $101,135 | $79,672 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $135,000 | Between $61,000 And $103,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a tool engineer and a quality engineer in terms of educational background:
| Tool Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between tool engineers' and quality engineers' demographics:
| Tool Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7% | Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 13.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |