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The differences between principal manufacturing engineers and engineering managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a principal manufacturing engineer, becoming an engineering manager takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, an engineering manager has an average salary of $139,328, which is higher than the $94,463 average annual salary of a principal manufacturing engineer.
The top three skills for a principal manufacturing engineer include CAD, continuous improvement and process control. The most important skills for an engineering manager are java, project management, and continuous improvement.
| Principal Manufacturing Engineer | Engineering Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $94,463 | $139,328 |
| Hourly rate | $45.41 | $66.98 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 91,957 | 67,124 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 43 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
Principle Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for leading an organization's operations involved in reducing cost, increasing production capacity, and implementing new efficient processes. Their duties include developing production capacity cost and quality targets and implementing workforce utilization, workspace efficiency, workflow, and equipment layout. They also manage project milestones by working closely with internal groups and suppliers. Principle Manufacturing Engineers review production data gathered, supervise production process improvements, and assist in the accurate manufacturing documentation.
An engineering manager is responsible for managing the overall concept of engineering and construction projects, ensuring that the plan meets the budget goals and the client's specifications. Engineering managers approve designs, plan strategic procedures to follow the project's timetable, analyze current market trends, hire the best and efficient contractors, and coordinate with the clients for any changes and adjustments as needed. An engineering manager must have excellent knowledge of engineering disciplines, as well as leadership and communication skills, monitoring the team's performance throughout the project.
Principal manufacturing engineers and engineering managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Manufacturing Engineer | Engineering Manager | |
| Average salary | $94,463 | $139,328 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $122,000 | Between $99,000 And $195,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | ZS | Mixpanel |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a principal manufacturing engineer and an engineering manager in terms of educational background:
| Principal Manufacturing Engineer | Engineering Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between principal manufacturing engineers' and engineering managers' demographics:
| Principal Manufacturing Engineer | Engineering Manager | |
| Average age | 43 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.2% Female, 11.8% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 17.2% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.2% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 9% |