Mechanical Engineering Vs Electrical Engineering

The engineering profession is incredibly diverse in its scope. From aeronautics to nanotechnology, engineers apply mathematical and scientific concepts to enhance processes and invent new technologies. Whether it’s commercial jetliners that fly around the globe or appliances that simplify dinner preparation, engineers play a role in much of everyday life, with every engineering discipline bringing its own special contribution.

Some engineering fields, however, tend to be paired together since they go hand in hand. An example of this is mechanical versus electrical engineering. Both careers are very rewarding and involve research, analysis, and design of devices and equipment, but one is a bit more general in nature than the other.

How do you determine which discipline is best for you? By gaining a greater insight into how the two differ and are similar. An online Master of Science in Engineering can provide you with the education, training, and skills required to become a top-notch engineer, regardless of the specialty you choose to enter.

Mechanical Engineering vs. Electrical Engineering: Which Should I Pursue?

To the naked eye, mechanical engineers and electrical engineers seem to be cut from the same piece of cloth. As explained by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), both jobs call for a high dose of creativity, mathematical and mechanical aptitude, and an astute eye for finding and fixing problems. They’re also working for many of the same business organizations, such as research and development, computer systems, software, telecommunications, and product manufacturing companies.

The largest difference between electrical and mechanical engineering is perhaps the way energy is utilized in each. While electrical engineers work with power generation (i.e. electricity), mechanical engineers work with power application — making physical components, motors, and parts act or respond in a certain way. Traditional examples of the kinds of machines mechanical engineers design or produce are internal combustion engines, gas turbines, air-conditioning unit fans, and rechargeable batteries for handheld devices.

Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical engineers participate in research, design, and development of numerous products and devices, such as tools, engines, and machines.

Although their particular tasks will depend on where they work and what field, mechanical engineers are generally accountable for the following:

• Designing material-handling equipment (conveyor belts, pulleys, automated transfer stations)
• Troubleshooting technical malfunctions with sensors or parts and providing solutions for how to overcome them
• Monitoring manufacturing processes of top-of-the-line devices, such as medical devices

Electrical Engineers

Electrical engineers, on the other hand, are more “big picture” when it comes to power use and generation studies. They can be assigned to come up with new or different methods of harnessing electricity (e.g., current management) or other forms of energy for enhanced efficiency or cost savings. They can also investigate performance problems with electronic, technological, or service equipment. Electrical engineers primarily deal with the application of energy, while equipment problems resulting from faulty components or chips would come under the jurisdiction of electronics engineers.

Either way, issues can arise during the design and development phase or once they’ve entered the consumer market. In such instances, electrical and electronics engineers could collaborate with other agencies or institutions to provide quality assurance, such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission or ASTM International (formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials), or federal regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Department of Energy.

Some of the following are a few other duties usually performed by electrical and electronics engineers:

• Designing computer chips for new computer systems or software
• Developing alternative uses or changes to improve technical performance
• Assessing energy systems and providing suggestions on how to change them so they can last longer

Mechanical vs. Electrical Engineering: Choosing the Right Path

A large amount of crossover exists between mechanical and electrical engineering. Consequently, most of those specializing in one of these two areas will end up working for similar kinds of firms, i.e., manufacturers of semiconductors, designers of navigation systems, or utility service providers.

Which engineering specialty you might want to pursue is up to your interests and where you feel your professional expertise is. The University of California, Riverside’s online master’s in engineering includes a curriculum that can assist you in deciding which discipline is best for your career aspirations. The core four-credit courses for the program include Engineering in the Global Environment, Introduction to Systems Engineering, Principles of Engineering Management, and Technology Innovation and Strategy for Engineers.

The program provides a number of specializations, such as mechanical engineering and electrical engineering, among others. Whatever specialization you choose, your courses will involve these core courses. Each course is specifically tailored to provide you with the intellectual and practical tools that you require in order to be successful in the broad arena of engineering.

Mechanical vs. Electrical Engineering: How They Work Together

While the two engineering professions share numerous commendable differences, it’s equally pertinent to examine the manner in which the two careers complement one another. Electrical engineers and mechanical engineers frequently cooperate in addressing a mutual issue or coming up with a new product, technology, or building. As they specialize in different aspects, electrical engineers and mechanical engineers usually engage in alternate stages of the project or product development process.

For instance, electrical engineers would work to design and test a power source. Mechanical engineers could then take that power source and implement it within a machine to ensure that the machine is performing its desired operation.

Take this case study: An electrical engineer invents technology that allows a self-driving car to process traffic signals. A mechanical engineer then makes sure that the processing technology is properly able to be utilized in automotive functions, like braking, turning, and accelerating.

This is only one illustration of how the electrical and mechanical engineers can be used together, but several responsibilities overlap between them. Examples include:

• Research to create new products or enhance existing ones
• Technology troubleshooting to correct issues or enhance safety
• Installing quality and safety assurance procedures on devices, vehicles, or buildings

Which Degree Offers a Higher Salary: Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering?

Another aspect in which mechanical and electrical engineers are alike is their possible earnings. Due to the level of knowledge needed for each position — along with the enormous responsibility that comes with it — individuals in either job may earn close to six-figure incomes.

Based on the most current statistics available from the BLS, the median annual salary of a mechanical engineer in 2021 was $95,300. As a comparison, the median annual salary of an electrical engineer was $100,420.

How much you can earn working in mechanical or electrical engineering is very much dependent on your amount of academic experience and how long you’ve been working. As with most other careers, more experienced engineers generally make more money than those who are still in their entry-level years. But since advanced degrees are so in demand by many employers, you can potentially make more money coming out of college with a master’s degree than you would with a bachelor’s.

Which Job Is More Stressful: Mechanical or Electrical Engineering?

Stress is something that nearly everyone can attest to feeling in their line of work, and engineering is no exception. That being said, it’s hard to say which line of work — mechanical or electrical engineering — is more stressful. Both professions demand an ability to think critically so that problems can be solved. Some of these problems can have life-changing consequences. For instance, electronic engineers who develop medical equipment will be required to come up with new devices to diagnose and identify severe diseases effectively. They must ensure that methods they introduce or recommend do not have side effects.

Mechanical engineers, on the other hand, can be concerned with developing a motor that enhances power equipment in terms of doing more work or weight. But there is always some possibility of a new part malfunctioning, which can cause harm to users of the equipment. Therefore, mechanical engineers need to exercise caution in making products better so that they perform better without sacrificing user safety.

The engineering field is all about optimizing existing procedures or bringing new ones into the fold. Creativity, creativity, and employing proven principles in solving problems when they arise — or preferably ahead of time — is what’s needed. Basically, it’s a business all about performance. Leveraging your hard and soft skills can make you beat stressors regardless of when and how they arise.