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The differences between materials process engineers and process improvement engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a materials process engineer has an average salary of $90,788, which is higher than the $82,473 average annual salary of a process improvement engineer.
The top three skills for a materials process engineer include failure analysis, material properties and process specifications. The most important skills for a process improvement engineer are lean six sigma, sigma, and project management.
| Materials Process Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $90,788 | $82,473 |
| Hourly rate | $43.65 | $39.65 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 79,795 | 55,438 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
Materials Process Engineers are licensed engineers who develop different materials, usually for research or production purposes. They may create new materials derived from existing compounds and materials. Materials Process Engineers must document the processes involved in creating these new materials. They would then study the different elements and specifications of this new material. This would help industries that may need a similar material gauge, whether applicable in their area. Material Process Engineers also work on finding new ways to use existing materials. This would help increase the value of the material since there are more and practical uses for it.
A process improvement engineer specializes in conducting research and analysis to develop new strategies and ideas to improve the processes in a manufacturing plant or a similar setting. They prioritize efficiency and profitability. Most of the time, engineers participate in a series of meetings where they coordinate with fellow engineers to determine opportunities for product growth and development. Moreover, a process improvement engineer is also responsible for crafting new policies and regulations, upgrading systems, and developing new practices to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction.
Materials process engineers and process improvement engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Materials Process Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Average salary | $90,788 | $82,473 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $118,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Everett, WA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a materials process engineer and a process improvement engineer in terms of educational background:
| Materials Process Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | New York University |
Here are the differences between materials process engineers' and process improvement engineers' demographics:
| Materials Process Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.3% Female, 21.7% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 18.3% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 10.5% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 4% |