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The differences between value engineers and mechanical 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 value engineer, becoming a mechanical engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a value engineer has an average salary of $88,531, which is higher than the $75,352 average annual salary of a mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for a value engineer include project management, CAD and sigma. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Value Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $88,531 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $42.56 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 47,777 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A value engineer specializes in designing and developing procedures and strategies to enhance the value of projects and operations in an organization. Although the extent of their responsibilities varies on their company or industry of employment, it usually includes conducting research and analysis, reviewing documentation, developing tools, creating and presenting financial models, and help in developing processes and practices to optimize operations. Moreover, a value engineer typically works in a team environment, which requires an active communication line for a safe and efficient workflow.
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.
Value engineers and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Value Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $88,531 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $124,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Energy |
There are a few differences between a value engineer and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Value Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between value engineers' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Value Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 12.2% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 4% | 5% |