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The differences between industrial engineers and process improvement 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 industrial engineer and a process improvement engineer. Additionally, a process improvement engineer has an average salary of $82,473, which is higher than the $76,501 average annual salary of an industrial engineer.
The top three skills for an industrial engineer include continuous improvement, lean manufacturing and sigma. The most important skills for a process improvement engineer are lean six sigma, sigma, and project management.
| Industrial Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,501 | $82,473 |
| Hourly rate | $36.78 | $39.65 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 46,756 | 55,438 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An industrial engineer specializes in devising various systems to improve the workflow and the workforce in a manufacturing setting. One of their primary responsibilities is to understand all of the procedures in a manufacturing plant and develop strategies to resolve issues or improve production operations, such as designing a cost-efficient machine or system that will enhance the quality of goods and boost the productivity of workers. Moreover, it is also essential to adhere to all the company's policies and safety regulations to maintain a safe and productive work environment for all employees.
A process improvement engineer specializes in conducting research and analysis to develop new strategies and ideas to improve the processes in a manufacturing plant or a similar setting. They prioritize efficiency and profitability. Most of the time, engineers participate in a series of meetings where they coordinate with fellow engineers to determine opportunities for product growth and development. Moreover, a process improvement engineer is also responsible for crafting new policies and regulations, upgrading systems, and developing new practices to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction.
Industrial engineers and process improvement engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Industrial Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,501 | $82,473 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $97,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an industrial engineer and a process improvement engineer in terms of educational background:
| Industrial Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Industrial Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between industrial engineers' and process improvement engineers' demographics:
| Industrial Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 12.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 10.5% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |