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The differences between industrial engineering technicians and engineering assistants 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 engineering technician and an engineering assistant. Additionally, an engineering assistant has an average salary of $64,402, which is higher than the $55,055 average annual salary of an industrial engineering technician.
The top three skills for an industrial engineering technician include process improvement, continuous improvement and CAD. The most important skills for an engineering assistant are troubleshoot, C++, and worksheets.
| Industrial Engineering Technician | Engineering Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $55,055 | $64,402 |
| Hourly rate | $26.47 | $30.96 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 74,490 | 53,767 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Industrial Engineering Technicians help industrial engineers to devise efficient devices that integrate materials, energy, information, workers, and machines. They plan workflows, develop machinery layouts, prepare equipment layouts, analyze company production costs, and participate in statistical production studies. These professionals suggest revisions to equipment layout, operation, or material handling methods. They also interpret engineering formulas, schematic diagrams, and drawings. Moreover, they work with engineering and management staff members to determine reliability or quality standards.
An engineering assistant is responsible for supporting the engineering department's operations under the supervision of a head engineer. Engineering assistants help with operating tools and equipment, developing and analyzing designs, communicating with clients by responding to their inquiries and concerns, creating project plans, and identifying business opportunities to generate revenues and increase profitability. An engineering assistant must have excellent knowledge of the engineering disciplines and processes to carry out tasks within strict deadlines and under minimal supervision.
Industrial engineering technicians and engineering assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Industrial Engineering Technician | Engineering Assistant | |
| Average salary | $55,055 | $64,402 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $74,000 | Between $41,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | LaGrange, GA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Tesla | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Energy |
There are a few differences between an industrial engineering technician and an engineering assistant in terms of educational background:
| Industrial Engineering Technician | Engineering Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Industrial Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between industrial engineering technicians' and engineering assistants' demographics:
| Industrial Engineering Technician | Engineering Assistant | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.2% Female, 23.8% | Male, 68.8% Female, 31.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 11.2% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |