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The differences between principal process engineers and process improvement 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 improvement engineer. Additionally, a principal process engineer has an average salary of $126,348, which is higher than the $82,473 average annual salary of a process improvement 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 improvement engineer are lean six sigma, sigma, and project management.
| Principal Process Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $126,348 | $82,473 |
| Hourly rate | $60.74 | $39.65 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 82,358 | 55,438 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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 improvement engineer specializes in conducting research and analysis to develop new strategies and ideas to improve the processes in a manufacturing plant or a similar setting. They prioritize efficiency and profitability. Most of the time, engineers participate in a series of meetings where they coordinate with fellow engineers to determine opportunities for product growth and development. Moreover, a process improvement engineer is also responsible for crafting new policies and regulations, upgrading systems, and developing new practices to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction.
Principal process engineers and process improvement engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Process Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Average salary | $126,348 | $82,473 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $171,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tucson, AZ | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Arizona | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a principal process engineer and a process improvement engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Process Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | New York University |
Here are the differences between principal process engineers' and process improvement engineers' demographics:
| Principal Process Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.4% Female, 15.6% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| 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, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 10.5% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |