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The differences between materials research engineers and industrial engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a materials research engineer has an average salary of $87,100, which is higher than the $76,501 average annual salary of an industrial engineer.
The top three skills for a materials research engineer include materials research, research projects and characterization techniques. The most important skills for an industrial engineer are continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and sigma.
| Materials Research Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,100 | $76,501 |
| Hourly rate | $41.88 | $36.78 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 82,912 | 46,756 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A materials research engineer researches, processes, and develops test materials used to create a wide range of products. They must be good in analytical, mechanical, and math skills. They are likely to perform in their role such as formulating their own project concepts, executing technology projects about the development of novel polymer fiber-reinforced composites, and identifying unknown material compositions. Also, they implement powder processing equipment and manufacture tools to improve their efficiency and quality.
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.
Materials research engineers and industrial engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Materials Research Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,100 | $76,501 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $111,000 | Between $59,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Beaverton, OR | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Nike | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a materials research engineer and an industrial engineer in terms of educational background:
| Materials Research 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 materials research engineers' and industrial engineers' demographics:
| Materials Research Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8% | 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, 66.4% 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% |