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The differences between process control engineers and project lead 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 project lead engineer. Additionally, a project lead engineer has an average salary of $106,946, 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 project lead engineer are project management, renewable energy, and project execution.
| Process Control Engineer | Project Lead Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,430 | $106,946 |
| Hourly rate | $42.03 | $51.42 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 84,749 | 98,018 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| 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.
Project lead engineers are engineering professionals who are responsible for leading other professionals in completing a particular project. These engineers must develop a project management framework to be implemented throughout the organization based on the inputs from internal stakeholders and team members. They are required to train junior team members so that they can provide proper technical support functions. Project lead engineers must also prepare and review cost estimates for a variety of projects during bidding, construction, and post-construction phases.
Process control engineers and project lead engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Control Engineer | Project Lead Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,430 | $106,946 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $114,000 | Between $78,000 And $146,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | Cupertino, 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 project lead engineer in terms of educational background:
| Process Control Engineer | Project Lead Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between process control engineers' and project lead engineers' demographics:
| Process Control Engineer | Project Lead Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% | Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2% |
| 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, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 15.2% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |