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The differences between principal process engineers and process 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 a process engineer. Additionally, a principal process engineer has an average salary of $126,348, which is higher than the $82,443 average annual salary of a process engineer.
The top three skills for a principal process engineer include process engineering, continuous improvement and engineering design. The most important skills for a process engineer are continuous improvement, sigma, and lean manufacturing.
| Principal Process Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $126,348 | $82,443 |
| Hourly rate | $60.74 | $39.64 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 82,358 | 66,937 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| 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.
A Process Engineer is responsible for coming up with innovative ways to process particular raw materials into different kinds of products. They can also modify various existing machines or maintain their quality by monitoring its functions and conducting tests and examinations. A Process Engineer must do numerous analyses and research to gather data that would help determine possible improvements or decisions to uphold. Furthermore, A Process Engineer also has the task of procuring and installing new equipment, collecting and interpreting data, assessing risks, and ensuring that tasks are done safely.
Principal process engineers and process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Process Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average salary | $126,348 | $82,443 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $171,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tucson, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM |
| Highest paying state | Arizona | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a principal process engineer and a process engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Process Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between principal process engineers' and process engineers' demographics:
| Principal Process Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.4% Female, 15.6% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| 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, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 15.6% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |