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The differences between industrial engineers and product engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an industrial engineer, becoming a product engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a product engineer has an average salary of $89,645, 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 product engineer are CAD, product design, and project management.
| Industrial Engineer | Product Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,501 | $89,645 |
| Hourly rate | $36.78 | $43.10 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 46,756 | 157,888 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
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 product engineer specializes in designing and developing commercial materials and services. They are primarily responsible for conducting thorough research and analysis of the latest trends and marketing conditions to come up with new ideas and products for the public. Moreover, they are also responsible for producing reports and presentations, coordinating with the development team of their company. Product engineers also reach out to vendors and suppliers for the raw materials, set regulations and standards for the product, and even conduct a rigorous and regular quality check.
Industrial engineers and product engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Industrial Engineer | Product Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,501 | $89,645 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $97,000 | Between $68,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an industrial engineer and a product engineer in terms of educational background:
| Industrial Engineer | Product Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Industrial Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | New York University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between industrial engineers' and product engineers' demographics:
| Industrial Engineer | Product Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% | Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 17.0% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |