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The differences between process safety engineers and 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 safety engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an engineer has an average salary of $92,077, which is higher than the $84,412 average annual salary of a process safety engineer.
The top three skills for a process safety engineer include safety management, OSHA and risk management. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Process Safety Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $84,412 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $40.58 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 38,650 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A process safety engineer is responsible for conducting quality check procedures for the operational processes of the manufacturing and construction industries. Process safety engineers analyze practices to ensure that the methodologies adhere to safety standards and state regulations. They also inspect the tools and materials used, the budget needed for production, and timetables to strategize efficient ways in minimizing costs and risks. A process safety engineer records the process findings and suggests technical solutions to maximize productivity.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Process safety engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Safety Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $84,412 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $129,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Orange, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | California Resources | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a process safety engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Process Safety Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Chemical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between process safety engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Process Safety Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 12.6% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |