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The differences between project engineers and process engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a project engineer, 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 $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.
The top three skills for a project engineer include project management, autocad and construction management. The most important skills for a process engineer are continuous improvement, sigma, and lean manufacturing.
| Project Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $75,050 | $82,443 |
| Hourly rate | $36.08 | $39.64 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 176,689 | 66,937 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
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.
Project engineers and process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Project Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average salary | $75,050 | $82,443 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $100,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, CA | Rio Rancho, NM |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a project engineer and a process engineer in terms of educational background:
| Project Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between project engineers' and process engineers' demographics:
| Project Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 5% | 4% |