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The differences between process control engineers and control systems 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 process control engineer, becoming a control systems engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a control systems engineer has an average salary of $92,727, which is higher than the $87,430 average annual salary of a process control engineer.
The top three skills for a process control engineer include PLC, HMI and control systems. The most important skills for a control systems engineer are PLC, HMI, and C++.
| Process Control Engineer | Control Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,430 | $92,727 |
| Hourly rate | $42.03 | $44.58 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 84,749 | 133,220 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
In the manufacturing industry, a process control engineer specializes in planning and executing quality control processes in a company, ensuring that every equipment is working safely and efficiently. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring and inspecting systems and machinery, coordinating with various department staff, devising strategies to improve processes, and recommending solutions for optimal services. A process control engineer may also respond to inquiries and concerns, resolving issues promptly. Furthermore, there are instances when a process control engineer must produce progress reports, presentations, and assessments.
Control systems engineers are interdisciplinary engineers managing the company's control systems. They are expected to be familiar with different engineering disciplines such as mechanical, industrial, and computer science, among others. They are responsible for designing systems based on the company's requirements. Control systems engineers must conduct feasibility studies to ensure that the company's requirements can be met. They are also responsible for developing the systems, creating prototypes, and testing. They test whether the control systems produce desired results. After testing, control systems engineers implement the system and conduct routine maintenance checks.
Process control engineers and control systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Control Engineer | Control Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,430 | $92,727 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $114,000 | Between $72,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Koch Fertilizer | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a process control engineer and a control systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Process Control Engineer | Control Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between process control engineers' and control systems engineers' demographics:
| Process Control Engineer | Control Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% | Male, 90.5% Female, 9.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.3% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 15.4% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 6% |