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The differences between process control 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 process control engineer and a process improvement engineer. Additionally, a process control engineer has an average salary of $87,430, which is higher than the $82,473 average annual salary of a process improvement engineer.
The top three skills for a process control engineer include PLC, HMI and control systems. The most important skills for a process improvement engineer are lean six sigma, sigma, and project management.
| Process Control Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,430 | $82,473 |
| Hourly rate | $42.03 | $39.65 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 84,749 | 55,438 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Process control engineers and process improvement engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Control Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,430 | $82,473 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $114,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Koch Fertilizer | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a process control engineer and a process improvement engineer in terms of educational background:
| Process Control Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | New York University |
Here are the differences between process control engineers' and process improvement engineers' demographics:
| Process Control Engineer | Process Improvement Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| 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, 4.7% 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% |