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The differences between associate process engineers and staff engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a staff engineer has an average salary of $107,530, 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 staff engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Associate Process Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $79,046 | $107,530 |
| Hourly rate | $38.00 | $51.70 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 57,344 | 277,011 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
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.
Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.
Associate process engineers and staff engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Process Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average salary | $79,046 | $107,530 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $96,000 | Between $69,000 And $167,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tulsa, OK | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | California |
| Best paying company | Tesoro | Flexport |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between an associate process engineer and a staff engineer in terms of educational background:
| Associate Process Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between associate process engineers' and staff engineers' demographics:
| Associate Process Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.7% Female, 29.3% | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.8% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 5% |