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Job outlook for project production engineers in the United States
Project production engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected project production engineer job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 30,600 new jobs for project production engineers are projected over the next decade.
Project production engineer salaries have increased 6% for project production engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 11,375 project production engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 95,721 active project production engineer job openings in the US.
The average project production engineer salary is $75,746.
Are project production engineer jobs in demand?
Project production engineer job and salary trends over time
Project production engineer jobs over time
Project production engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,375 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 11,229 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 11,288 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 10,817 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 10,274 | 0.00% |
Average project production engineer salary over time
Project production engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $75,746 | $36.42 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $74,955 | $36.04 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $74,120 | $35.63 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $73,132 | $35.16 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $71,795 | $34.52 | +1.0% |
Project production engineer jobs by state
Most common states for project production engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 2,189 | 39% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 503 | 37% |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,834 | 32% |
| 4 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 987 | 31% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 589 | 31% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 219 | 29% |
| 7 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,875 | 28% |
| 8 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 196 | 28% |
| 9 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 3,148 | 27% |
| 10 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 748 | 26% |
| 11 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,599 | 25% |
| 12 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 329 | 25% |
| 13 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,468 | 24% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 403 | 23% |
| 15 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 2,237 | 22% |
| 16 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,456 | 22% |
| 17 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 959 | 22% |
| 18 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,451 | 21% |
| 19 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 1,039 | 21% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 182 | 21% |
Most common cities for project production engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poway | 1 | 2% | $83,019 |
Project Production Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of project production engineer experts
Manhattan College
University of New Mexico
San Jose State University
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Tuskegee University
The University of Texas at Arlington
Grand Valley State University
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
North Dakota State University
University of Denver
Weber State University
University of Michigan
University of Houston - Downtown
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Wichita State University
Stonehill College
The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
Lipscomb University
Georgia College and State University
What Project Production Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Richard Carbonaro Ph.D., P.E.: The field of chemical engineering has always been evolving and expanding beyond the traditional oil and gas industry where it got its start in the late 1800's. I expect that it will continue to do so. The future of our field will likely put a greater emphasis on green chemistry and sustainability (i.e. energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy storage), and biotechnologies (i.e. biosynthesis of small molecules, production of biomaterials). With the development and availability of AI, additional work is needed to figure out how to apply it to chemical engineering problems. It has great potential to help us optimize chemical processes and provide assistance in the design process.
What will help Project Production Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jamie Gomez: Chemical engineers thrive on tackling complex problems and embracing diverse projects, which offer ample opportunities for innovation and career growth. Their work profoundly impacts society, particularly in advancing sustainable technologies. However, the profession can be demanding, with high workloads, regulatory hurdles, and safety challenges. Ethical considerations must also be carefully balanced with industrial growth. Senior chemical engineering students transitioning from capstone design projects often find the experience stressful but invaluable. These projects mirror real-world engineering scenarios and equip them with practical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, innovation, and adaptability. Additionally, they gain an understanding of the economic aspects of engineering projects, learning to assess cost-effectiveness and financial feasibility. These competencies are crucial for career success, offering versatility and a wide range of professional opportunities.
What Project Production Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christopher Lew: Chemical engineering is a multidisciplinary, technology-driven field that offers a broad set of skills and knowledge. Graduates have many career opportunities to choose from in various industries. The profession is dynamic, well-compensated, and allows for success and growth.
What will help Project Production Engineers increase their earning potential?
Christopher Lew: People like the broad range of career opportunities, the ability to address complex challenges, and the potential for success and growth in various fields. Dislikes may include the complexity of the field and the varied responsibilities that require a unique way of thinking and problem-solving.
Kimberly Henthorn
Department Head & Associate ProfessorRose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
What soft skills should all Project Production Engineers possess?
Kimberly Henthorn: Being good at the technical stuff is important, but being able to effectively communicate is just as critical. Both oral and written communication skills are necessary in order to explain to others what your work means. You also have to be able to work with a team; chemical engineers rarely work alone, so knowing how to work with people in other disciplines to get the job done is important.
Dr. Michael Curry Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry, Adjunct Associate Professor of MSE,, Affiliate Member of The Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, and Founder/CEO of Eco-friendly Plastic Materials, LLCTuskegee University
Chemistry, and Material Science Engineering Faculty
What skills stand out on Project Production Engineer resumes?
Dr. Michael Curry Ph.D.: -Able to work in team environments
-Excellent critical thinker
-Able to make critical data evaluations and interpretations and process adjustments
-Strong background in chemical processes
-Excellent communicator (writing, talking, reading)
-Strong problem-solving capabilities
-Excellent project manager
-Independent thinker
-Self-starter
What general advice would you give to a Project Production Engineer?
Bijan Shapoorian: In most Construction Management programs, Internship courses prepares the students for the job market and the industry. Those CM students who have obtained a degree in CM but lack work experience are recommended to search for internship opportunities if finding employment becomes a challenge. Students are advised to be flexible and willing to relocate to geographical areas with higher demand for this profession.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Production Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Diane LaFreniere: The pandemic has created an enormous opportunity for students to understand the need for adaptability, positivity, and team work. For engineering students, this translates to a broader skillset with the depth and breadth of exposure to transition to interdisciplinary engineering roles that require a strong initiative and willingness to contribute in an individual and group capacity. For employees, this will require an increased awareness and desire to improve computer-related and communication skills to adapt to a flexible or remote work schedule, as well as assume greater responsibility in diverse capacities. For employers, this translates toward revised position descriptions and career paths and recruitment strategies to seek candidates who are equipped to navigate new directions and pivot into a variety of roles within the organization. At Grand Valley State University, we emphasize the need for a strong engineering core with greater specialization for students approaching graduation. The mandatory co-op program and senior capstone experience equips the students with the technical skillset necessary for interdisciplinary engineering teamwork, along with the essential skills necessary to conduct themselves professionally and become future engineering leaders.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Production Engineer job market given the pandemic?
William Cross Ph.D.: The biggest job market trends given the pandemic are working from home, and slightly delayed hiring - in Metallurgical Engineering at SD Mines, it took about 9-12 months for our Spring 2020 graduates to be hired to levels that took less than three months pre-pandemic, although eventually most of our graduates have been placed. The Fall 2020 graduates have seen a similar delay.
I expect some of the work from home will remain into the future, but do not expect the delayed hiring to extend for too much longer. I also expect that in some fields the pandemic has accelerated trends towards greater automation of job functions.
What soft skills should all Project Production Engineers possess?
William Cross Ph.D.: The soft skills that all graduates should possess are primarily in communication - speaking/writing clearly, and listening/reading comprehension - and in teamwork skills. Being able to function in a variety of roles on a team is very important to success in many jobs.
How have salaries changed over time for Project Production Engineers?
William Cross Ph.D.: This of course depends on the time range to which the question refers. Over the last 4-5 years salaries have been rather flat on average going by SD Mines graduates in Metallurgical Engineering, although this is working off a rather high baseline. SD Mines has been recognized as the top engineering schools in the nation for return on investment, and Metallugical Engineering has an above average starting salary for SD Mines at around $65,000/year.
Andriy Voronov
ProfessorNorth Dakota State University
Coatings and Polymeric Materials Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Production Engineers?
Andriy Voronov: Since pandemic is not over yet, there may be only a guess on how significant this impact can be. I think answering this question resonates with more general one, namely, "Will our life after COVID-19 be the same as before?" We all want to be positive about that but are just not certain. Moreover, I think in some professional aspects in most fields, changes are unavoidable. Working from home, attending virtual conferences, taking part in Zoom meetings, even virtual get together with colleagues will most probably remain to be a new post-pandemic working routine, by all advantages and disadvantages this may bring to most recent graduates. Speaking about materials science, I hope and do believe that there will be global and impactful factors other than coronavirus pandemic, such as novel materials trends, technological innovations etc., to take into account for graduates.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Project Production Engineers?
Andriy Voronov: I think most graduate programs in materials science offer opportunities for interdisciplinary research and educational activities. Their philosophy is to educate and prepare job prospects by providing advanced aspects of work, including extensive collaborations between departments, programs, institutions or with industrial partners. Offering specialized trainings in various areas, graduate programs aim to merge basic and applied research within the certain field. With this said, quit often graduate programs work also with leading industrial scientists who help to provide to the graduates new and practical directions to become competitive at the job market. Answering your question more specifically, graduate programs do target as complementary and comprehensive education as possible. It will be interesting to hear from graduates what courses they took have the biggest impact for them, as well as if they need any additional certifications/licenses and which specifically.
How have salaries changed over time for Project Production Engineers?
Andriy Voronov: Being materials scientist means being able to do lot of things starting from fundamental research on material properties and characterization up to developing entirely new formulations and modify them to make new products suitable for new applications. One should be prepared to work in research lab, but also in pilot plants, as well as in manufacturing facilities. As for the soft skills, those are critical thinking, problem solving, communication, written and oral, including ability to communicate science to scientists, but also nonscientific audience, also flexibility and adaptability in (always) willing to learn. Although not a soft skill, but rather technical one, do not forget about fundamental knowledge and understanding of materials specifics and properties one works with.
Dr. Matt Howard Gordon Ph.D.
Professor & Chair, Mechanical & Materials EngineeringUniversity of Denver
Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Production Engineers?
Dr. Matt Howard Gordon Ph.D.: I think so. At least for a couple years.
What will help Project Production Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Matt Howard Gordon Ph.D.: I stress outside the class experiences - internships, undergraduate research, and/or study abroad. I believe all help with earning potential. And maybe students should consider getting their PE.
What's a good job out of college for Project Production Engineers?
Dr. Matt Howard Gordon Ph.D.: I think any technical job is a good job for engineers. You build experience, ideally in an area of interest, making it easier to get your next job.
What will help Project Production Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. A. Tye Gardner Ph.D.: Getting a master's degree goes a long way to making candidates stand out and improving earnings. My recommendation is to tailor your MS degree to the specific field you're interested in working in, because employers really want to see candidates that are passionate about the field, and very few people survive a graduate degree without at least a little passion. Available salary data indicates that if you choose an affordable program (let's just say Weber State University), it takes only a few years to pay off the added cost, increases starting salaries, and dramatically improves long-term earning potential. Moreover, you can find electrical engineers with MBAs at C-level positions all over the country. It turns out being an EE makes you a good candidate for business leadership.
Brian Denton Ph.D.
Professor and Department ChairUniversity of Michigan
Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Production Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Brian Denton Ph.D.: The job market remains strong for our students. Perhaps there will be less hiring in areas most affected by the pandemic (e.g. sports, events management, restaurant chains, airlines and other transportation companies). On the other hand, our students are often hired to work on opportunities for creating greater efficiencies, and reducing costs, so opportunities may still be strong in these areas.
Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Chemistry Program Coordinator, Assistant ChairUniversity of Houston - Downtown
College of Sciences and Technology
What skills stand out on Project Production Engineer resumes?
Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.: Apart from a good foundation in the chemistry discipline, skills that will stand out on resumes include: experience in various analytical techniques, excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing, ability to work collaboratively (team player), and the ability to think critically to find solutions to problems (problem solving). Another valuable skill nowadays would be to be competent in the use of technology for communication purposes (Zoom, etc.).
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Project Production Engineers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.: Texas is a good place for Chemistry graduates, particularly the city of Houston, which houses the largest medical center in the world, and the largest petroleum industry hub in the world. Most of our graduates find employment in the oil industry but also in those companies that provide services to the petroleum industry, such as chemical supply, waste disposal, chemical safety, etc. Our graduates also find employment in the medical research field, in research labs such as the famous UT Anderson Cancer Center.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Production Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.: Chemistry graduates can work in a broad spectrum of fields: education, government agencies, research laboratories, and industry (oil, chemical, healthcare, pharmaceutical), and these jobs should still be viable options to Chemistry majors, even during the pandemic. As a result of the pandemic, I anticipate a greater number of opportunities arising in the pharmaceutical industry and the drug discovery field.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Project Production Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Thomas Junk Ph.D.: The most obvious consequence is a decline in the oil field sector, which used to employ many chemists. This is very noticeable in our area (Lafayette and its vicinity). As a result of this decline, the job market for chemists has dropped from very good to fair. However, most other chemistry jobs have been stable, and our students can still find industrial positions. A major sector for employment has been QA/QC-type lab work. This has not changed because chemistry is not as strongly affected by Covid as many other sectors of our economy are. Fundamentally, the jobs and types of skills needed have not changed very much (except for niche sectors such as oil field and transportation-related products). The cheap oil and gas have provided a boost to industries that depend on affordable petrochemicals (e.g., polymers).
What Project Production Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Junk Ph.D.: It is advisable to gain as much experience as possible, such as an internship. Graduates will usually get some help from their former home departments by way of contact names and referrals, but few take advantage of that. If there is no better option, even volunteer work can help. Of course, the closer the work is related to the student's future career path, the better. Another option is to return to college for an M.S. degree. One year already gets you halfway there, and a degree that provides you with specialized skills is well worth it. In practice, most graduate students in science and engineering find academic scholarships, so it doesn't have to cost you anything. Since most students change institutions for graduate school, their circle of friends and contacts drastically increases.
What general advice would you give to a Project Production Engineer?
Thomas Junk Ph.D.: While this may not exactly answer your question, it is very important to start making connections and to network WELL BEFORE graduation. Internships, volunteer work, membership in professional organizations, leadership activities all help to land a job after graduation. It is very important to continue networking as much as possible. The only true job security is the ability to find another job - it is truly liberating because it enables you to say "no" to your boss, if necessary. Also, I noticed that many graduates do not take advantage of all possible avenues to find employers. It is important to have a good web presence and to sign up on sites such as LinkedIn.
I also highly recommend cultivating ties to one's former institution and college friends. Often, job openings are filled by word of mouth: companies looking for somebody with a specific skill set ask around. A company contacted me for the name of somebody I could recommend for a specific job, but I came to find out that the contact information that I had of the person I wanted to recommend was no longer valid.
It is important to have specific career goals. Many recent graduates and fresh hires let their careers "drift" and have no idea where they want to be ten years from now. Also, always keep looking for jobs! Few jobs are so good that it is impossible to find a better one.
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWichita State University
School of Accountancy, Barton School of Business
What experience really stands out on Project Production Engineer resumes?
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.: Employers are looking for people who can integrate in multi-disciplinary environments to solve complex problems. They are looking for resumes that show quick learning. Such resumes will permanently be in great demand. Because the world is interconnected much more than it ever was, employees today will deal with customers, supply-chains, and fellow employees who are spread all over the world. It means that an experience that showcases the global perspective will be in demand over the long-term.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Production Engineers?
Marilena Hall Ph.D.: Our graduates tend to do very well in securing chemistry-related jobs in the workforce or enrolling at prestigious graduate programs. We saw no difference for our 2020 graduates during the first few months of the pandemic. What will happen in 2021 remains to be seen, but if jobs and programs in chemistry and biochemistry hold firm, we expect to see our students' same successes.
Unlike in other sectors, much laboratory work has been able to continue even with physical distancing requirements, as many laboratories are spacious. Where we have seen more pronounced effects of the pandemic, we expect the situation to be temporary. For example, during the early months of quarantine, some students in graduate programs were asked to stay away from the lab and work on literature searching and writing at home, which may have delayed some progress toward completing graduate school by a few months.
Upon returning to the bench, some labs have employed staggered schedules to ensure safe distances between lab workers, which, although inconvenient concerning work/life balance, have allowed lab work to resume close to the normal pace. I wouldn't expect too many long-term consequences once physical distancing is no longer necessary.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Production Engineers?
Dr. Bradley Harris Ph.D.: "In terms of positive impact, I hope that students will graduate with a better sense of the information and technology available to them in the internet age. Faced with the loss of easy access to their professors and other campus resources, they've had to find reliable online sources, watch tutorials, and converse with students across the nation and globe in online communities.
I honestly believed that they would graduate with the same knowledge and skillset in terms of negative impact as in previous years. The legacy of getting a degree during a pandemic will likely be a lower GPA, which could be a factor in securing future employment. I've remarked often this year that the top 2% of students can succeed in any course format. The borderline B and C students have struggled, becoming more like marginal C and D students, due to the challenges posed by learning via hybrid and online modalities."
Steve Opoku-Duah Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry & ChairLipscomb University
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Project Production Engineers?
Steve Opoku-Duah Ph.D.:
This is a hard question to answer. Who knows tomorrow? But I think there will be some enduring impact. What I am not certain of is the magnitude. There is not a single individual who has not suffered loss because of the COVID-19 pandemic at this present time. Nations, cities, families, individuals, jobs, and academic institutions have all been badly hit, and recovery is expected to be slow and painful.
Academic institutions like Lipscomb University created innovative strategies that have resulted in a good mix of in-person instruction and virtual learning. Still, we have experienced significant adverse impacts at the chemistry department, including inadequate faculty-student contact and Zoom virtual meetings, diminished laboratory hands-on work, and reduced collaborative learning.
What Project Production Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Peter Rosado: I tell students to call their "gap" year more of a "Developmental" year. If a graduate desires to have such a year, they should focus on their whole as a goal, which means not only developing their professionalism but have other experiences. For example, travel to another country, learn a new language, intern at a company outside of the US, get involved further in the field of study. What stands out in candidates is how they made use of their time, skills that they acquired, and how they could weave them into the position they are applying for. That the candidate has had experiences outside of their comfort zone tells me, as an employer, that they are flexible and can adapt to situations that are new and unpredictable.