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The differences between engineers and quality control 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 quality control engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $70,845 average annual salary of a quality control engineer.
The top three skills for an engineer include python, cloud and C++. The most important skills for a quality control engineer are product quality, quality standards, and corrective action.
| Engineer | Quality Control Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $92,077 | $70,845 |
| Hourly rate | $44.27 | $34.06 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 618,207 | 109,745 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.33 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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 quality control engineer is responsible for conducting quality assessments for the company's products and services to ensure adherence to federal regulations and quality standards. Quality control engineers recommend strategic methods by analyzing processes and writing test results. They also identify opportunities for more services that meet public demands and market trends, helping the business generate more resources for revenues. A quality control engineer utilizes various software tools and applications to document findings, requiring them to have excellent communication and technical skills.
Engineers and quality control engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineer | Quality Control Engineer | |
| Average salary | $92,077 | $70,845 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $130,000 | Between $53,000 And $94,000 |
| Highest paying City | Huntsville, AL | San Rafael, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | Wyoming |
| Best paying company | Fort Bend County | Intuitive Surgical |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an engineer and a quality control engineer in terms of educational background:
| Engineer | Quality Control Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Johns Hopkins University |
Here are the differences between engineers' and quality control engineers' demographics:
| Engineer | Quality Control Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% | Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2% |
| 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, 15.5% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |