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The differences between lead quality engineers and industrial engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a lead quality engineer and an industrial engineer. Additionally, a lead quality engineer has an average salary of $104,296, which is higher than the $76,501 average annual salary of an industrial engineer.
The top three skills for a lead quality engineer include java, corrective action and continuous improvement. The most important skills for an industrial engineer are continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and sigma.
| Lead Quality Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,296 | $76,501 |
| Hourly rate | $50.14 | $36.78 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 81,952 | 46,756 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Lead quality engineers and industrial engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Quality Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,296 | $76,501 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $135,000 | Between $59,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Technology |
There are a few differences between a lead quality engineer and an industrial engineer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Quality Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Industrial Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | New York University |
Here are the differences between lead quality engineers' and industrial engineers' demographics:
| Lead Quality Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4% | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% |
| 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, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 12.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |