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The differences between semiconductor engineers and process 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 semiconductor engineer and a process engineer. Additionally, a semiconductor engineer has an average salary of $96,951, which is higher than the $82,443 average annual salary of a process engineer.
The top three skills for a semiconductor engineer include data analysis, RF and failure analysis. The most important skills for a process engineer are continuous improvement, sigma, and lean manufacturing.
| Semiconductor Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,951 | $82,443 |
| Hourly rate | $46.61 | $39.64 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 37,162 | 66,937 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
As a semiconductor engineer, your main job is to make semiconductors that are mostly made out of silicon. You have to create electrical products that enable the integration of workers, materials, and machines. Semiconductor engineers increase the efficiency of these semiconductors and develop new technologies for creating semiconductors for electric circuitry.
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.
Semiconductor engineers and process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Semiconductor Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average salary | $96,951 | $82,443 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $134,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bothell, WA | Rio Rancho, NM |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | Applied Materials | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a semiconductor engineer and a process engineer in terms of educational background:
| Semiconductor Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between semiconductor engineers' and process engineers' demographics:
| Semiconductor Engineer | Process Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.0% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 4% | 4% |