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The differences between engineers and production engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an engineer, becoming a production engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $89,727 average annual salary of a production engineer.
The top three skills for an engineer include python, cloud and C++. The most important skills for a production engineer are java, continuous improvement, and lean manufacturing.
| Engineer | Production Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,077 | $89,727 |
| Hourly rate | $44.27 | $43.14 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 618,207 | 94,789 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.33 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
A production engineer is responsible for monitoring the production operations, ensuring everyone's adherence to safety protocols, and evaluating the staff's performance, strategizing on maximizing productivity to deliver efficient results that would drive revenues and increase profitability. Production engineers inspect the reliability of production equipment and machinery, conducting preventive maintenance, and repair inconsistencies to prevent production delays. They also identify areas of improvement with the manufacturing processes and escalate best practices for improvement. A production engineer must be knowledgeable about technological advancements and incorporate ideas to minimize costs without sacrificing the quality of services.
Engineers and production engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineer | Production Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,077 | $89,727 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $130,000 | Between $64,000 And $125,000 |
| Highest paying City | Huntsville, AL | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | California |
| Best paying company | Fort Bend County | Cheniere Energy |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an engineer and a production engineer in terms of educational background:
| Engineer | Production Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between engineers' and production engineers' demographics:
| Engineer | Production Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% | Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.4% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |