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The differences between plant engineers and industrial engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become a plant engineer, becoming an industrial engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a plant engineer has an average salary of $93,949, which is higher than the $76,501 average annual salary of an industrial engineer.
The top three skills for a plant engineer include HVAC, project management and plant operations. The most important skills for an industrial engineer are continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and sigma.
| Plant Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $93,949 | $76,501 |
| Hourly rate | $45.17 | $36.78 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 44,391 | 46,756 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 48 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A Plant Engineer is responsible for directing the smooth operation of the plant. They plan and coordinate activities concerned with the design, construction, modification, and maintenance of equipment and machinery in an industrial plant.
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.
Plant engineers and industrial engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plant Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average salary | $93,949 | $76,501 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $130,000 | Between $59,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Bunge | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a plant engineer and an industrial engineer in terms of educational background:
| Plant 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 plant engineers' and industrial engineers' demographics:
| Plant Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average age | 48 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7% | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 8% | 4% |