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The differences between plastics engineers and research engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a research engineer has an average salary of $96,945, 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 a research engineer are python, java, and software development.
| Plastics Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,304 | $96,945 |
| Hourly rate | $38.61 | $46.61 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 47,267 | 136,763 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| 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.
Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.
Plastics engineers and research engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plastics Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Average salary | $80,304 | $96,945 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $106,000 | Between $67,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Union City, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | California |
| Best paying company | Pfizer | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a plastics engineer and a research engineer in terms of educational background:
| Plastics Engineer | Research 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 | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between plastics engineers' and research engineers' demographics:
| Plastics Engineer | Research Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.9% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 5% |