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The differences between consulting 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 a consulting engineer, becoming a process engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a consulting engineer has an average salary of $97,746, which is higher than the $82,443 average annual salary of a process engineer.
The top three skills for a consulting engineer include java, C # and linux. The most important skills for a process engineer are continuous improvement, sigma, and lean manufacturing.
| Consulting Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,746 | $82,443 |
| Hourly rate | $46.99 | $39.64 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 125,600 | 66,937 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A consulting engineer is an individual who aids in the planning, designing, and construction of a project from the public and private clients. Consulting engineers are required to advise on the best component suitable according to the needs of their clients. They can manage the project by coordinating with designers, architects, and relevant persons who have commissioned the project. They may incorporate green sustainable energy solutions based on the demands of their clients. Consulting engineers must also conduct a feasibility study and prepare the estimated cost for the project.
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.
Consulting engineers and process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Consulting Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,746 | $82,443 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $131,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Rio Rancho, NM |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a consulting engineer and a process engineer in terms of educational background:
| Consulting Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between consulting engineers' and process engineers' demographics:
| Consulting Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 13.8% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 5% | 4% |