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The differences between manufacturing project 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 manufacturing project engineer and an industrial engineer. Additionally, a manufacturing project engineer has an average salary of $82,447, which is higher than the $76,501 average annual salary of an industrial engineer.
The top three skills for a manufacturing project engineer include project management, lean manufacturing and capital projects. The most important skills for an industrial engineer are continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and sigma.
| Manufacturing Project Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $82,447 | $76,501 |
| Hourly rate | $39.64 | $36.78 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 70,267 | 46,756 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A manufacturing project engineer specializes in designing and developing a variety of equipment and systems, ensuring compliance with the industry's laws and standards. It is their duty to determine and identify the needs of every project, conceptualize plans, coordinate with staff and other experts, create prototypes and test structures, and develop guidelines. They may also provide technical support, assess existing systems, and implement solutions when necessary. Furthermore, they must maintain an active communication line with the workforce while implementing the facility's safety 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.
Manufacturing project engineers and industrial engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manufacturing Project Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average salary | $82,447 | $76,501 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $113,000 | Between $59,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Cirrus Aircraft | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Education | Technology |
There are a few differences between a manufacturing project engineer and an industrial engineer in terms of educational background:
| Manufacturing Project Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Industrial Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | New York University |
Here are the differences between manufacturing project engineers' and industrial engineers' demographics:
| Manufacturing Project Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 12.7% White, 66.9% 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% |