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The differences between industrial engineers and quality control 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 quality control engineer. Additionally, an industrial engineer has an average salary of $76,501, which is higher than the $70,845 average annual salary of a quality control engineer.
The top three skills for an industrial engineer include continuous improvement, lean manufacturing and sigma. The most important skills for a quality control engineer are product quality, quality standards, and corrective action.
| Industrial Engineer | Quality Control Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,501 | $70,845 |
| Hourly rate | $36.78 | $34.06 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 46,756 | 109,745 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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 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.
Industrial engineers and quality control engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Industrial Engineer | Quality Control Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,501 | $70,845 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $97,000 | Between $53,000 And $94,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Rafael, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Wyoming |
| Best paying company | Apple | Intuitive Surgical |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an industrial engineer and a quality control engineer in terms of educational background:
| Industrial Engineer | Quality Control Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Industrial Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | New York University | Johns Hopkins University |
Here are the differences between industrial engineers' and quality control engineers' demographics:
| Industrial Engineer | Quality Control Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% | Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2% |
| 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, 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 | 4% | 4% |