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The differences between principal quality 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 quality engineer and an industrial engineer. Additionally, a principal quality engineer has an average salary of $103,677, which is higher than the $76,501 average annual salary of an industrial engineer.
The top three skills for a principal quality engineer include sigma, corrective action and ISO. The most important skills for an industrial engineer are continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and sigma.
| Principal Quality Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $103,677 | $76,501 |
| Hourly rate | $49.84 | $36.78 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 120,965 | 46,756 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Principal quality engineers are engineering professionals who are responsible for providing quality engineering support and technical guidance to help the quality activities of a project. They are required to supervise the quality management system to monitor the progress of projects and ensure their timely deliveries. They must provide quality assurance (QA) solutions while evaluating the efficiency of their existing QA processes. Principal quality engineers must also identify technical risks and challenges by suggesting corrective actions and QA process improvements.
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 quality engineers and industrial engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Quality Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average salary | $103,677 | $76,501 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $133,000 | Between $59,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Palo Alto Networks | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a principal quality engineer and an industrial engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Quality Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Industrial Engineering |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between principal quality engineers' and industrial engineers' demographics:
| Principal Quality Engineer | Industrial Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.0% Female, 19.0% | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.4% White, 65.8% 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% |