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The differences between principal process engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a principal process engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a principal process engineer has an average salary of $126,348, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a principal process engineer include process engineering, continuous improvement and engineering design. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Principal Process Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $126,348 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $60.74 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 82,358 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A Principal Process Engineer is responsible for analyzing process technologies and proposal support for the engineering activities of the organization. They may work in various industries, such as chemical, petrochemical, agriculture, software development, and biotechnological.
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.
Principal process engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Process Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $126,348 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $171,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tucson, AZ | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | Arizona | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Fort Bend County | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a principal process engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Process Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between principal process engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Principal Process Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.4% Female, 15.6% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 15.7% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 4% | 5% |