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The differences between plastics engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $80,304 average annual salary of a plastics engineer.
The top three skills for a plastics engineer include sigma, project management and extrusion. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Plastics Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,304 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $38.61 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 47,267 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
Plastics engineers must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, and they will receive training opportunities that involve workshops and seminars to keep job skills current. This career requires skills in Sigma, project management, CAD, product quality, and product design. Those who choose this career path engage in manufacturing, fabrication, and end use testing of existing materials and the development of new processes, materials, and equipment.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Plastics engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plastics Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $80,304 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $106,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Union City, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Pfizer | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a plastics engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Plastics Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Plastics Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between plastics engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Plastics Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 17.3% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 5% |