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The differences between process engineers and quality control 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 and a quality control engineer. Additionally, a process engineer has an average salary of $82,443, which is higher than the $70,845 average annual salary of a quality control engineer.
The top three skills for a process engineer include continuous improvement, sigma and lean manufacturing. The most important skills for a quality control engineer are product quality, quality standards, and corrective action.
| Process Engineer | Quality Control Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $82,443 | $70,845 |
| Hourly rate | $39.64 | $34.06 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 66,937 | 109,745 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Process Engineer is responsible for coming up with innovative ways to process particular raw materials into different kinds of products. They can also modify various existing machines or maintain their quality by monitoring its functions and conducting tests and examinations. A Process Engineer must do numerous analyses and research to gather data that would help determine possible improvements or decisions to uphold. Furthermore, A Process Engineer also has the task of procuring and installing new equipment, collecting and interpreting data, assessing risks, and ensuring that tasks are done safely.
A quality control engineer is responsible for conducting quality assessments for the company's products and services to ensure adherence to federal regulations and quality standards. Quality control engineers recommend strategic methods by analyzing processes and writing test results. They also identify opportunities for more services that meet public demands and market trends, helping the business generate more resources for revenues. A quality control engineer utilizes various software tools and applications to document findings, requiring them to have excellent communication and technical skills.
Process engineers and quality control engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Engineer | Quality Control Engineer | |
| Average salary | $82,443 | $70,845 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $108,000 | Between $53,000 And $94,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rio Rancho, NM | San Rafael, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | Wyoming |
| Best paying company | Apple | Intuitive Surgical |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a process engineer and a quality control engineer in terms of educational background:
| Process Engineer | Quality Control Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Johns Hopkins University |
Here are the differences between process engineers' and quality control engineers' demographics:
| Process Engineer | Quality Control Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% | Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.5% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |