Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between application engineers and process engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an application engineer, becoming a process engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an application engineer has an average salary of $92,921, which is higher than the $82,443 average annual salary of a process engineer.
The top three skills for an application engineer include technical support, java and C++. The most important skills for a process engineer are continuous improvement, sigma, and lean manufacturing.
| Application Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,921 | $82,443 |
| Hourly rate | $44.67 | $39.64 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 111,338 | 66,937 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
An application engineer is responsible for creating and re-designing system applications based on clients' specifications and sales demands. Application engineers run diagnostic tests on software programs, identify areas of improvement, install necessary updates, upgrade optimization, revise system codes, and provide technical support for customers' needs. They also generate ideas and locate other business opportunities by analyzing current trends in the technology market that would help build revenues and increase profitability for the company. An application engineer must have a strong command of programming languages, software application processes, and general technology disciplines.
A Process Engineer is responsible for coming up with innovative ways to process particular raw materials into different kinds of products. They can also modify various existing machines or maintain their quality by monitoring its functions and conducting tests and examinations. A Process Engineer must do numerous analyses and research to gather data that would help determine possible improvements or decisions to uphold. Furthermore, A Process Engineer also has the task of procuring and installing new equipment, collecting and interpreting data, assessing risks, and ensuring that tasks are done safely.
Application engineers and process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Application Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,921 | $82,443 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $125,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Rio Rancho, NM |
| Highest paying state | California | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | Morgan Lewis | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an application engineer and a process engineer in terms of educational background:
| Application Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between application engineers' and process engineers' demographics:
| Application Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 1.4% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 11.5% White, 74.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 15.6% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 4% |