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Senior chemical engineer vs plastics engineer

The differences between senior chemical engineers and plastics engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior chemical engineer has an average salary of $100,309, which is higher than the $80,304 average annual salary of a plastics engineer.

The top three skills for a senior chemical engineer include chemical engineering, chemistry and project management. The most important skills for a plastics engineer are sigma, project management, and extrusion.

Senior chemical engineer vs plastics engineer overview

Senior Chemical EngineerPlastics Engineer
Yearly salary$100,309$80,304
Hourly rate$48.23$38.61
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs54,38047,267
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4141
Years of experience--

What does a senior chemical engineer do?

A senior chemical engineer manufactures organic and inorganic chemicals. They also manage various products which include chemical works. For example, they may fabricate applications that require graphite, fiberglass, or thermoplastic materials. They may also oversee the manufacturing process of various chemical processes.

What does a plastics engineer do?

Plastics engineers must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, and they will receive training opportunities that involve workshops and seminars to keep job skills current. This career requires skills in Sigma, project management, CAD, product quality, and product design. Those who choose this career path engage in manufacturing, fabrication, and end use testing of existing materials and the development of new processes, materials, and equipment.

Senior chemical engineer vs plastics engineer salary

Senior chemical engineers and plastics engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Chemical EngineerPlastics Engineer
Average salary$100,309$80,304
Salary rangeBetween $77,000 And $129,000Between $60,000 And $106,000
Highest paying CityHouston, TXUnion City, CA
Highest paying stateNew MexicoNew Mexico
Best paying companyTeslaPfizer
Best paying industryFinanceAutomotive

Differences between senior chemical engineer and plastics engineer education

There are a few differences between a senior chemical engineer and a plastics engineer in terms of educational background:

Senior Chemical EngineerPlastics Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorChemical EngineeringPlastics Engineering
Most common collegeGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology

Senior chemical engineer vs plastics engineer demographics

Here are the differences between senior chemical engineers' and plastics engineers' demographics:

Senior Chemical EngineerPlastics Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 79.8% Female, 20.2%Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 22.1% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 17.3% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between senior chemical engineer and plastics engineer duties and responsibilities

Senior chemical engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
  • Consider one of company's batch distillation experts.
  • Work with suppliers and contractors for several distillation column packing replacement projects.
  • Process development engineer focuse on formulation and chemistry of key internal resins and adhesives.
  • Develop new chemistry routes and successfully demonstrate increased productivity without affecting the characteristics or quality of the product.
  • Maintain responsibility for manufacturing large-scale inorganic chemical synthesis.
  • Show more

Plastics engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead several independent, cross-functional projects and improve manufacturing quality, reduce cost, ensure environment are supported and FDA compliant.
  • Prove out a new rapid prototyping technique.
  • Investigate and develop some of the latest rapid prototyping methods.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in statistical process control (SPC), analyze data and calculate capability study using SQC pack software.
  • Conduct engine fit and function tests with prototype electrical hardware to ensure product meets customer requirements in performance and durability.
  • Study abroad in Ireland and Spain learning about sustainability in engineering, including renewable energy types and energy conservation techniques

Senior chemical engineer vs plastics engineer skills

Common senior chemical engineer skills
  • Chemical Engineering, 25%
  • Chemistry, 10%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • IDS, 6%
  • Technical Support, 4%
  • Process Control, 4%
Common plastics engineer skills
  • Sigma, 9%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Extrusion, 7%
  • CAD, 7%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 6%
  • Product Design, 6%

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