What they do
Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
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Also called: |
Design Engineer, Designer, Industrial Designer, Mechanical Designer, Mold Designer, Product Design Engineer, Product Designer, Product Development Engineer, Sign Designer
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Wages
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Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 25.09 |
$52,180 |
25% |
$ 30.39 |
$63,210 |
Median |
$ 35.51 |
$73,850 |
75% |
$ 39.76 |
$82,700 |
90% |
$ 53.95 |
$112,210 |
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Average |
$ 39.11 |
$81,340 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
| 22% |
- Transportation equipment manufacturing
| 10% |
- Merchant wholesalers, durable goods
| 9% |
- Management of companies and enterprises
| 8% |
| 5% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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- Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
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- Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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- Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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- Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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More at O*NET |
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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- Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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More at O*NET |
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.
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- Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
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- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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- Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
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- Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
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- Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
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- Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
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- Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval and discuss need for modification.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Vermont |
2020 employment |
227 |
2030 employment |
234 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
0.3% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
22 |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
Bachelor's degree
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
None
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Somewhat Important
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Low | | High |
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Compare Occupations at O*NET |
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Job Zone
Considerable Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(7.0 to < 8.0) - A typical worker will require
over 2 years up to and including 4 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 0% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 0% |
Bachelor's degree | | 68% |
Associate's degree | | 12% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 16% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 4% |
Less than high school diploma | | 0% |
More at O*NET |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Fluency of Ideas
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
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- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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- Originality
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
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- Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
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- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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- Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
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- Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.
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- Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.
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- Present work to clients for approval.
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- Estimate costs for projects or productions.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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