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The differences between lead quality engineers and 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 lead quality engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a lead quality engineer has an average salary of $104,296, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a lead quality engineer include java, corrective action and continuous improvement. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Lead Quality Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,296 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $50.14 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 81,952 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Lead quality engineers are engineering professionals who manage a team of quality assurance professionals that ensure the overall quality of manufactured products. These engineers must create comprehensive test plans and test cases to ensure that the finished products have met the client requirements. They have to develop and implement quality standards and procedures while developing internal corrective actions after performing the internal processes audits. Lead quality engineers must also provide new product quality training to members of the quality control and production team.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Lead quality engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Quality Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,296 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $135,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Fort Bend County | |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a lead quality engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Quality Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between lead quality engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Lead Quality Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 15.2% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |