Process controller vs production manager

The differences between process controllers and production managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a process controller and a production manager. Additionally, a production manager has an average salary of $78,064, 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 production manager are continuous improvement, customer service, and quality standards.

Process controller vs production manager overview

	Process Controller	Production Manager
Yearly salary	$74,534	$78,064
Hourly rate	$35.83	$37.53
Growth rate	11%	3%
Number of jobs	36,826	95,561
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

Process controller vs production manager salary

Process controllers and production managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Process Controller	Production Manager
Average salary	$74,534	$78,064
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $112,000	Between $50,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Wyoming	Rhode Island
Best paying company	Google	Cheniere Energy
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between process controller and production manager education

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

	Process Controller	Production Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Process controller vs production manager demographics

Here are the differences between process controllers' and production managers' demographics:

	Process Controller	Production Manager
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 55.3% Female, 44.7%	Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4%
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, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between process controller and production manager 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.

Production manager example responsibilities.

Lead a KAIZEN that save 220k in damages.
Manage lean sigma techniques and Kaizen events to reduce raw material and scrap costs.
Hire and manage crew and locations along with renting necessary film equipment and organizing shoot logistics.
Team member in setting up TPM method of measuring production (OEE), helping to achieve record production results.
Manage data reports, analyze and provide data to improve operational performance to include OEE, process reliability and labor optimization.
Manage production control group and supply replenishment logistics for the manufacturing division.

Process controller vs production manager skills

Common process controller skills

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

Common production manager skills

Continuous Improvement, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
Quality Standards, 6%
Safety Procedures, 6%
Lean Manufacturing, 6%
Production Supervisors, 6%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Process Controller
Process Controller vs Production Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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