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The differences between manufacturing test 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 test engineer and an industrial engineer. Additionally, a manufacturing test engineer has an average salary of $98,285, which is higher than the $76,501 average annual salary of an industrial engineer.
The top three skills for a manufacturing test engineer include test equipment, labview and troubleshoot. The most important skills for an industrial engineer are continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and sigma.
| Manufacturing Test Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $98,285 | $76,501 |
| Hourly rate | $47.25 | $36.78 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 64,188 | 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 manufacturing test engineer specializes in designing and developing test structures to ensure the quality of products according to the company's policies and standards. Their responsibilities include coordinating with the design team to determine test parameters, producing test documentation, troubleshooting, and performing quality assurance procedures. A manufacturing test engineer must also assess the existing test procedures to identify its strengths and weaknesses, implementing solutions as needed. Furthermore, they may assist the quality assurance teams in conducting tests, all while enforcing 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.
Manufacturing test engineers and industrial engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manufacturing Test Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average salary | $98,285 | $76,501 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $134,000 | Between $59,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a manufacturing test engineer and an industrial engineer in terms of educational background:
| Manufacturing Test Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Industrial Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | New York University |
Here are the differences between manufacturing test engineers' and industrial engineers' demographics:
| Manufacturing Test Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.5% White, 65.7% 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% |