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The differences between lead quality engineers and process 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 a process engineer. Additionally, a lead quality engineer has an average salary of $104,296, which is higher than the $82,443 average annual salary of a process engineer.
The top three skills for a lead quality engineer include java, corrective action and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a process engineer are continuous improvement, sigma, and lean manufacturing.
| Lead Quality Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,296 | $82,443 |
| Hourly rate | $50.14 | $39.64 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 81,952 | 66,937 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| 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.
A Process Engineer is responsible for coming up with innovative ways to process particular raw materials into different kinds of products. They can also modify various existing machines or maintain their quality by monitoring its functions and conducting tests and examinations. A Process Engineer must do numerous analyses and research to gather data that would help determine possible improvements or decisions to uphold. Furthermore, A Process Engineer also has the task of procuring and installing new equipment, collecting and interpreting data, assessing risks, and ensuring that tasks are done safely.
Lead quality engineers and process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Quality Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,296 | $82,443 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $135,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Rio Rancho, NM |
| Highest paying state | California | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Technology |
There are a few differences between a lead quality engineer and a process engineer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Quality Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between lead quality engineers' and process engineers' demographics:
| Lead Quality Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| 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, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 15.6% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |