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The differences between material engineers and industrial engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material engineer has an average salary of $86,258, which is higher than the $76,501 average annual salary of an industrial engineer.
The top three skills for a material engineer include DOD, failure analysis and data analysis. The most important skills for an industrial engineer are continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and sigma.
| Material Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $86,258 | $76,501 |
| Hourly rate | $41.47 | $36.78 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 89,717 | 46,756 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
Materials engineers are responsible for developing, processing, and testing materials used to create a wide variety of products. These professionals study and evaluate the properties and structure of different materials, including plastics, metal, ceramics, and composites, to create new products. They also perform other tasks that include providing technical advice on suitable materials, diagnosing faults, and providing advice on planning and conducting inspections, repairs, and maintenance. Additionally, they may also oversee the work of other scientists like technicians and evaluate the technical and economic factors surrounding the design aspects of products.
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.
Material engineers and industrial engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Material Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average salary | $86,258 | $76,501 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $113,000 | Between $59,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Menlo Park, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a material engineer and an industrial engineer in terms of educational background:
| Material Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Materials Science And Engineering | Industrial Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | New York University |
Here are the differences between material engineers' and industrial engineers' demographics:
| Material Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5% | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.1% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 19.6% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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 | 10% | 4% |