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The differences between process control engineers and quality 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 quality engineer. Additionally, a process control engineer has an average salary of $87,430, which is higher than the $79,672 average annual salary of a quality engineer.
The top three skills for a process control engineer include PLC, HMI and control systems. The most important skills for a quality engineer are corrective action, continuous improvement, and ISO.
| Process Control Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,430 | $79,672 |
| Hourly rate | $42.03 | $38.30 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 84,749 | 96,838 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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 quality engineer's responsibilities include ensuring that the manufacturing processes are efficient and accurate, documenting findings that would raise concerns, conducting quality tests while observing parameters, and implementing changes as necessary to meet the highest quality standards. Quality engineers need to have excellent problem-solving and observation skills to detect any irregularities and possible malfunctions. They also must be able to communicate effectively with the clients for feedbacks and corrective adjustments, address complaints, and immediately resolve any inconsistencies made.
Process control engineers and quality engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Control Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,430 | $79,672 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $114,000 | Between $61,000 And $103,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Koch Fertilizer | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a process control engineer and a quality engineer in terms of educational background:
| Process Control Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between process control engineers' and quality engineers' demographics:
| Process Control Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% | Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8% |
| 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, 11.5% Asian, 13.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |