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The differences between process engineer interns and production 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 engineer internship and a production engineer. Additionally, a production engineer has an average salary of $89,727, which is higher than the $39,495 average annual salary of a process engineer internship.
The top three skills for a process engineer internship include process engineering, process improvement and data analysis. The most important skills for a production engineer are java, continuous improvement, and lean manufacturing.
| Process Engineer Internship | Production Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $39,495 | $89,727 |
| Hourly rate | $18.99 | $43.14 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 87,030 | 94,789 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A process engineering intern performs various tasks for an organization. These include collaborating with the technical team on cost savings, process efficiency improvements, and technology advancement, attending meetings with leadership teams, and participating in customer trials. Additionally, they may assist with the leadership or management teams in creating standard operating procedures. They are responsible for coordinating with engineers and work on projects assigned by the leadership. Ideal candidates for this role must have a degree in mechanical or industrial engineering, excellent communication skills, and knowledge and experience in process observation.
A production engineer is responsible for monitoring the production operations, ensuring everyone's adherence to safety protocols, and evaluating the staff's performance, strategizing on maximizing productivity to deliver efficient results that would drive revenues and increase profitability. Production engineers inspect the reliability of production equipment and machinery, conducting preventive maintenance, and repair inconsistencies to prevent production delays. They also identify areas of improvement with the manufacturing processes and escalate best practices for improvement. A production engineer must be knowledgeable about technological advancements and incorporate ideas to minimize costs without sacrificing the quality of services.
Process engineer interns and production engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Engineer Internship | Production Engineer | |
| Average salary | $39,495 | $89,727 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $51,000 | Between $64,000 And $125,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Cheniere Energy |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a process engineer internship and a production engineer in terms of educational background:
| Process Engineer Internship | Production Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between process engineer interns' and production engineers' demographics:
| Process Engineer Internship | Production Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.7% Female, 31.3% | Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 15.2% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.4% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |