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The differences between process control engineers and manufacturing 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 manufacturing engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a process control engineer has an average salary of $87,430, which is higher than the $78,522 average annual salary of a manufacturing engineer.
The top three skills for a process control engineer include PLC, HMI and control systems. The most important skills for a manufacturing engineer are lean manufacturing, CAD, and solidworks.
| Process Control Engineer | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,430 | $78,522 |
| Hourly rate | $42.03 | $37.75 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 84,749 | 115,384 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
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.
Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for handling and developing an efficient manufacturing system or procedure that will help a company produce up to standard products while in adherence to the policies, regulations, and expected cost and schedule. Furthermore, Manufacturing Engineers must also monitor quality control, identify or detect errors, provide and suggest improvements, oversee the procurement of materials involved in the production, and coordinate with various teams or departments within the company to ensure the effectiveness of innovations or new developments.
Process control engineers and manufacturing engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Control Engineer | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,430 | $78,522 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $114,000 | Between $60,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Koch Fertilizer | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a process control engineer and a manufacturing engineer in terms of educational background:
| Process Control Engineer | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between process control engineers' and manufacturing engineers' demographics:
| Process Control Engineer | Manufacturing Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% | Male, 88.8% Female, 11.2% |
| 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, 4.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 17.0% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |