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The differences between associate process engineers and process improvement engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a process improvement engineer has an average salary of $82,473, which is higher than the $79,046 average annual salary of an associate process engineer.
The top three skills for an associate process engineer include process engineering, lean manufacturing and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a process improvement engineer are lean six sigma, sigma, and project management.
| Associate Process Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $79,046 | $82,473 |
| Hourly rate | $38.00 | $39.65 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 57,344 | 55,438 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
An associate process engineer specializes in designing and developing machinery and equipment to optimize business processes and operations. Their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the existing production processes, devising strategies for optimal performance, and coordinating with the workforce for further analysis. An associate process engineer may also install and repair equipment, test new systems, and conduct regular maintenance checks to maintain a safe and productive work environment for everyone.
A process improvement engineer specializes in conducting research and analysis to develop new strategies and ideas to improve the processes in a manufacturing plant or a similar setting. They prioritize efficiency and profitability. Most of the time, engineers participate in a series of meetings where they coordinate with fellow engineers to determine opportunities for product growth and development. Moreover, a process improvement engineer is also responsible for crafting new policies and regulations, upgrading systems, and developing new practices to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction.
Associate process engineers and process improvement engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Process Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Average salary | $79,046 | $82,473 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $96,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tulsa, OK | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Tesoro | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an associate process engineer and a process improvement engineer in terms of educational background:
| Associate Process Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | New York University |
Here are the differences between associate process engineers' and process improvement engineers' demographics:
| Associate Process Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.7% Female, 29.3% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 20.4% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 10.5% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 4% |