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The differences between senior process control engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a senior process control engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior process control engineer has an average salary of $103,292, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a senior process control engineer include PLC, DCS and control strategies. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Senior Process Control Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $103,292 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $49.66 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 68,538 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A senior process control engineer is charged with configuring, standardizing, and optimizing systems within the equipment control domain. They are tasked with defining system requirements, participating in configuring systems, liaising between end-users and system developers, and driving projects from stand to the end. They must also participate in the strategic direction of equipment control teams, production process improvements, and project implementation and prioritization. Their other responsibilities include partnering with technology experts to build progressive system solutions, planning training, and ensuring safety compliance.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Senior process control engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Process Control Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $103,292 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $135,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Tesoro | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a senior process control engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Process Control Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between senior process control engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Senior Process Control Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 15.0% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |