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The differences between plastics engineers and industrial engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a plastics engineer has an average salary of $80,304, which is higher than the $76,501 average annual salary of an industrial engineer.
The top three skills for a plastics engineer include sigma, project management and extrusion. The most important skills for an industrial engineer are continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and sigma.
| Plastics Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,304 | $76,501 |
| Hourly rate | $38.61 | $36.78 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 47,267 | 46,756 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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.
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.
Plastics engineers and industrial engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plastics Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average salary | $80,304 | $76,501 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $106,000 | Between $59,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Union City, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Pfizer | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a plastics engineer and an industrial engineer in terms of educational background:
| Plastics Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Plastics Engineering | Industrial Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | New York University |
Here are the differences between plastics engineers' and industrial engineers' demographics:
| Plastics Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% |
| 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, 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 | 9% | 4% |