Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between principal process engineers and industrial engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a principal process engineer and an industrial engineer. Additionally, a principal process engineer has an average salary of $126,348, which is higher than the $76,501 average annual salary of an industrial engineer.
The top three skills for a principal process engineer include process engineering, continuous improvement and engineering design. The most important skills for an industrial engineer are continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and sigma.
| Principal Process Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $126,348 | $76,501 |
| Hourly rate | $60.74 | $36.78 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 82,358 | 46,756 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Principal process engineers and industrial engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Process Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average salary | $126,348 | $76,501 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $171,000 | Between $59,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tucson, AZ | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Arizona | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a principal process engineer and an industrial engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Process Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Industrial Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | New York University |
Here are the differences between principal process engineers' and industrial engineers' demographics:
| Principal Process Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.4% Female, 15.6% | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% |
| 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, 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 | 4% | 4% |