Process controller vs process engineer

The differences between process controllers and process engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a process controller, becoming a process engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a process engineer has an average salary of $82,443, which is higher than the $74,534 average annual salary of a process controller.

The top three skills for a process controller include process control, SOX and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a process engineer are continuous improvement, sigma, and lean manufacturing.

Process controller vs process engineer overview

	Process Controller	Process Engineer
Yearly salary	$74,534	$82,443
Hourly rate	$35.83	$39.64
Growth rate	11%	10%
Number of jobs	36,826	66,937
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age	46	42
Years of experience	2	4

Process controller vs process engineer salary

Process controllers and process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Process Controller	Process Engineer
Average salary	$74,534	$82,443
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $112,000	Between $62,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Rio Rancho, NM
Highest paying state	Wyoming	New Mexico
Best paying company	Google	Apple
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between process controller and process engineer education

There are a few differences between a process controller and a process engineer in terms of educational background:

	Process Controller	Process Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common major	Business	Chemical Engineering
Most common college	Stanford University	Northwestern University

Process controller vs process engineer demographics

Here are the differences between process controllers' and process engineers' demographics:

	Process Controller	Process Engineer
Average age	46	42
Gender ratio	Male, 55.3% Female, 44.7%	Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 4.8% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 15.6% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	4%

Differences between process controller and process engineer duties and responsibilities

Process controller example responsibilities.

Manage distillation process to determine product specification compliance, and prepare unit for shutdown or turnaround process.
Develop and maintain documentation in compliance with the ISO standard.
Train new personnel in ISO procedures, and basic company rules.
Make sure safety standards and GMP's are adhere to at all times.
Design the automation profile for the evaporator area including start up, shutdown, and CIP of all evaporator equipment.
Troubleshoot PLC issues and add new control logic to address safety concerns, improve production rates, and reduce reagent usage.

Process engineer example responsibilities.

Lead KAIZEN projects to eliminate waste categories stemming from corrugation process.
Create and manage SharePoint sites for teams to collaborate on the work.
Lead and participate in KAIZEN events, IQ, OQ, PQ activities, set-up reduction techniques.
Lead a team, scheduling, resource planning, to create 120 catheters on schedule for a clinical trial.
Manage the operated and non-operate AFE process from implementation to cost allocation.
Obtain referrals, track hospitalized patients, interface with manage care intermediaries/medical personnel.

Process controller vs process engineer skills

Common process controller skills

Process Control, 12%
SOX, 10%
Continuous Improvement, 9%
Data Entry, 8%
Process Improvement, 5%
Sigma, 4%

Common process engineer skills

Continuous Improvement, 8%
Sigma, 5%
Lean Manufacturing, 5%
Project Management, 5%
Troubleshoot, 4%
Lean Six Sigma, 3%