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The differences between controls 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 controls engineer, becoming a process engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a controls engineer has an average salary of $84,532, which is higher than the $82,443 average annual salary of a process engineer.
The top three skills for a controls engineer include C++, troubleshoot and UL. The most important skills for a process engineer are continuous improvement, sigma, and lean manufacturing.
| Controls Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $84,532 | $82,443 |
| Hourly rate | $40.64 | $39.64 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 50,203 | 66,937 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and supervising electrical control systems, machinery, and equipment. They oversee projects from initial concept to installation and commissioning.
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.
Controls engineers and process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controls Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average salary | $84,532 | $82,443 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $111,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | Rio Rancho, NM |
| Highest paying state | California | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a controls engineer and a process engineer in terms of educational background:
| Controls Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between controls engineers' and process engineers' demographics:
| Controls Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 6% | 4% |