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The differences between automation engineers and quality engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an automation engineer and a quality engineer. Additionally, an automation engineer has an average salary of $92,597, which is higher than the $79,672 average annual salary of a quality engineer.
The top three skills for an automation engineer include python, java and PLC. The most important skills for a quality engineer are corrective action, continuous improvement, and ISO.
| Automation Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,597 | $79,672 |
| Hourly rate | $44.52 | $38.30 |
| Growth rate | - | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 133,941 | 96,838 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An automation engineer takes charge of developing detailed design specifications and any other documents. Automation engineers develop automation software that is based on certain requirements for the involved process. They conform to local standards, international standards, and other process-oriented guidelines. Their duties also include the simulation and testing of automated machinery and processes. The must-have skills for this position include configuration software experience, scripting and coding expertise, certifications, and in-depth knowledge of technology.
A quality engineer's responsibilities include ensuring that the manufacturing processes are efficient and accurate, documenting findings that would raise concerns, conducting quality tests while observing parameters, and implementing changes as necessary to meet the highest quality standards. Quality engineers need to have excellent problem-solving and observation skills to detect any irregularities and possible malfunctions. They also must be able to communicate effectively with the clients for feedbacks and corrective adjustments, address complaints, and immediately resolve any inconsistencies made.
Automation engineers and quality engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,597 | $79,672 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $121,000 | Between $61,000 And $103,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between an automation engineer and a quality engineer in terms of educational background:
| Automation Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between automation engineers' and quality engineers' demographics:
| Automation Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% | Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 13.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 4% |