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Senior process engineer vs plant engineer

The differences between senior process engineers and plant 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 engineer, becoming a plant engineer takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a senior process engineer has an average salary of $105,378, which is higher than the $93,949 average annual salary of a plant engineer.

The top three skills for a senior process engineer include continuous improvement, project management and data analysis. The most important skills for a plant engineer are HVAC, project management, and plant operations.

Senior process engineer vs plant engineer overview

Senior Process EngineerPlant Engineer
Yearly salary$105,378$93,949
Hourly rate$50.66$45.17
Growth rate10%3%
Number of jobs56,51044,391
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4248
Years of experience4-

What does a senior process engineer do?

A Senior Process Engineer assesses a process efficiency, effectiveness, safety, and quality. They also conduct process improvement initiatives and custom product developments.

What does a plant engineer do?

A Plant Engineer is responsible for directing the smooth operation of the plant. They plan and coordinate activities concerned with the design, construction, modification, and maintenance of equipment and machinery in an industrial plant.

Senior process engineer vs plant engineer salary

Senior process engineers and plant engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Process EngineerPlant Engineer
Average salary$105,378$93,949
Salary rangeBetween $82,000 And $134,000Between $67,000 And $130,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABerkeley, CA
Highest paying stateLouisianaCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleBunge
Best paying industryEnergyAutomotive

Differences between senior process engineer and plant engineer education

There are a few differences between a senior process engineer and a plant engineer in terms of educational background:

Senior Process EngineerPlant Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorChemical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborNorthwestern University

Senior process engineer vs plant engineer demographics

Here are the differences between senior process engineers' and plant engineers' demographics:

Senior Process EngineerPlant Engineer
Average age4248
Gender ratioMale, 85.1% Female, 14.9%Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage4%8%

Differences between senior process engineer and plant engineer duties and responsibilities

Senior process engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage customer complaint resolution, root cause analysis, maintaining conformance for ISO certification.
  • Utilize simplified SPC charting for critical processes.
  • Assist MRB team in reviewing non-conforming product.
  • Implement SPC and write ISO-9000 documents for all chemical processes.
  • Provide engineering explanation for low CPK issues and solve QA problems.
  • Maintain, troubleshoot, modify, and update process and design specification.
  • Show more

Plant engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead work cells to become a team; Harmonize/unite/motivate assembly personnel using Kaizen approach.
  • Provide guidance and training on NFPA 70E guidelines & conduct short circuit analysis for high voltage circuits.
  • Develop company Wiki pages for API 610 cryogenic pumps, API 620 tanks, and chill water systems.
  • Manufacture SolidWorks design parts using 3D printing, sheet metal tools, welders, mill, and lathe.
  • Guide maintenance and techs in troubleshooting large RF and microwave batch driers utilizing both RF and microwave technology.
  • Utilize lean six sigma tools to drive $250k savings from scrap reduction and increase productivity in the core department.
  • Show more

Senior process engineer vs plant engineer skills

Common senior process engineer skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Data Analysis, 4%
  • Process Improvement, 4%
  • Sigma, 4%
  • Process Design, 3%
Common plant engineer skills
  • HVAC, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Plant Operations, 5%
  • Continuous Improvement, 4%
  • Plant Maintenance, 4%
  • Plumbing, 4%

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