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The differences between energy engineers and process 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 energy engineer and a process engineer. Additionally, an energy engineer has an average salary of $86,305, which is higher than the $82,443 average annual salary of a process engineer.
The top three skills for an energy engineer include HVAC, renewable energy and sustainability. The most important skills for a process engineer are continuous improvement, sigma, and lean manufacturing.
| Energy Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $86,305 | $82,443 |
| Hourly rate | $41.49 | $39.64 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 16,765 | 66,937 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An energy engineer is an individual who is involved with the production of energy using natural resources as well as renewable or sustainable sources of energy. Energy engineers are required to research new methods and techniques to extract energy from scarce natural resources. They must design and test machinery used in extracting energy and develop ways of improving the existing processes. Energy engineers are also required to have an excellent understanding of statutory and regulatory requirements about energy use and sustainability concerns.
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.
Energy engineers and process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Energy Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average salary | $86,305 | $82,443 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $120,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Rio Rancho, NM |
| Highest paying state | Arizona | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an energy engineer and a process engineer in terms of educational background:
| Energy Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between energy engineers' and process engineers' demographics:
| Energy Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.7% Female, 14.3% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.7% Asian, 19.7% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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% |