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The differences between semiconductor engineers and senior 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 senior process engineer. Additionally, a senior process engineer has an average salary of $105,378, which is higher than the $96,951 average annual salary of a semiconductor engineer.
The top three skills for a semiconductor engineer include data analysis, RF and failure analysis. The most important skills for a senior process engineer are continuous improvement, project management, and data analysis.
| Semiconductor Engineer | Senior Process Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,951 | $105,378 |
| Hourly rate | $46.61 | $50.66 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 37,162 | 56,510 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| 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 Senior Process Engineer assesses a process efficiency, effectiveness, safety, and quality. They also conduct process improvement initiatives and custom product developments.
Semiconductor engineers and senior process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Semiconductor Engineer | Senior Process Engineer | |
| Average salary | $96,951 | $105,378 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $134,000 | Between $82,000 And $134,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bothell, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Louisiana |
| Best paying company | Applied Materials | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a semiconductor engineer and a senior process engineer in terms of educational background:
| Semiconductor Engineer | Senior Process Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between semiconductor engineers' and senior process engineers' demographics:
| Semiconductor Engineer | Senior Process Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% | Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9% |
| 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, 10.4% Asian, 15.3% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |