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The differences between project field 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 field 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 $71,292 average annual salary of a project field engineer.
The top three skills for a project field engineer include shop drawings, project management and OSHA. The most important skills for a process engineer are continuous improvement, sigma, and lean manufacturing.
| Project Field Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $71,292 | $82,443 |
| Hourly rate | $34.27 | $39.64 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 78,589 | 66,937 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
Field engineers are engineering professionals who work on-site in a different setting to direct workers and report to the management about the status of different projects. These engineers are required to resolve malfunctions or other crises such as construction or machinery problems while overseeing repairs and technical improvements. They must conduct research and studies on-site and installing new systems and technology to ensure smooth operations of machinery. Field engineers must also communicate with clients to discuss and determine the needs and explain complex issues of projects.
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 field engineers and process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Project Field Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average salary | $71,292 | $82,443 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $90,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Roseville, CA | Rio Rancho, NM |
| Highest paying state | Oklahoma | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | OHL USA | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a project field engineer and a process engineer in terms of educational background:
| Project Field Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Most common college | Columbia University in the City of New York | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between project field engineers' and process engineers' demographics:
| Project Field Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 11.2% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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% |