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The differences between lean six sigma black belts 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 lean six sigma black belt and an industrial engineer. Additionally, a lean six sigma black belt has an average salary of $88,305, which is higher than the $76,501 average annual salary of an industrial engineer.
The top three skills for a lean six sigma black belt include lean six sigma, six sigma training and lean sigma. The most important skills for an industrial engineer are continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and sigma.
| Lean SIX Sigma Black Belt | Industrial Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $88,305 | $76,501 |
| Hourly rate | $42.45 | $36.78 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 7,134 | 46,756 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Lead Six Sigma Black Belt specializes in designing and developing tools and systems to optimize company operations. Their responsibilities include applying principles in addressing and resolving issues and concerns, conducting research and analysis to understand the needs of the company and its projects, and developing strategies to optimize the workflow and workforce performance. Moreover, they provide technical advice to managers and staff, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
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.
Lean six sigma black belts and industrial engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lean SIX Sigma Black Belt | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average salary | $88,305 | $76,501 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $111,000 | Between $59,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Broomfield, CO | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Education | Technology |
There are a few differences between a lean six sigma black belt and an industrial engineer in terms of educational background:
| Lean SIX Sigma Black Belt | Industrial Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Business | Industrial Engineering |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between lean six sigma black belts' and industrial engineers' demographics:
| Lean SIX Sigma Black Belt | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.9% Female, 27.1% | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 11.5% White, 68.0% 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% |