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The differences between junior process engineers and research engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a junior process engineer, becoming a research engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a research engineer has an average salary of $96,945, which is higher than the $69,606 average annual salary of a junior process engineer.
The top three skills for a junior process engineer include p id, lean manufacturing and sigma. The most important skills for a research engineer are python, java, and software development.
| Junior Process Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $69,606 | $96,945 |
| Hourly rate | $33.46 | $46.61 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 63,010 | 136,763 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Typically working in the manufacturing industry, a junior process engineer is in charge of designing and developing procedures to optimize manufacturing operations. Among their responsibilities include understanding and identifying the needs of the company, gathering and analyzing data, developing prototypes and test structures, managing budgets and timelines, and producing regular progress reports. They may also assess existing systems and procedures, recommending solutions against problem areas. Furthermore, as a junior process engineer, it is essential to provide support to staff while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.
Junior process engineers and research engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Process Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Average salary | $69,606 | $96,945 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $91,000 | Between $67,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Pasadena, TX | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Sargent & Lundy | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a junior process engineer and a research engineer in terms of educational background:
| Junior Process Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between junior process engineers' and research engineers' demographics:
| Junior Process Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.1% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |