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The differences between industrial engineering technicians and process technicians 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 a process technician. Additionally, an industrial engineering technician has an average salary of $55,055, which is higher than the $39,462 average annual salary of a process technician.
The top three skills for an industrial engineering technician include process improvement, continuous improvement and CAD. The most important skills for a process technician are basic math, patients, and OSHA.
| Industrial Engineering Technician | Process Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $55,055 | $39,462 |
| Hourly rate | $26.47 | $18.97 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 74,490 | 74,367 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| 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.
A process technician is responsible for managing the equipment and machinery used for various industries, such as manufacturing and engineering. Process technicians must have a strong knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially on operating certain equipment types and making adjustments on its features as needed, depending on the needs of the operation. They also run diagnostic tests to check a machine's working condition to ensure that it's free of any inconsistencies. A process technician also helps develop structure methods by communicating with the technical team and escalating all defective findings to the supervisor.
Industrial engineering technicians and process technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Industrial Engineering Technician | Process Technician | |
| Average salary | $55,055 | $39,462 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $74,000 | Between $30,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | LaGrange, GA | Santa Clara, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Tesla | HP |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an industrial engineering technician and a process technician in terms of educational background:
| Industrial Engineering Technician | Process Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Industrial Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between industrial engineering technicians' and process technicians' demographics:
| Industrial Engineering Technician | Process Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.2% Female, 23.8% | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 7.6% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |