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Job outlook for senior process engineers in the United States
Senior process engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior process engineer job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 30,600 new jobs for senior process engineers are projected over the next decade.
Senior process engineer salaries have increased 6% for senior process engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 64,817 senior process engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 56,510 active senior process engineer job openings in the US.
The average senior process engineer salary is $105,378.
Are senior process engineer jobs in demand?
Senior process engineer job and salary trends over time
Senior process engineer jobs over time
Senior process engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 64,817 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 64,171 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 64,733 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 62,233 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 59,291 | 0.02% |
Average senior process engineer salary over time
Senior process engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $105,378 | $50.66 | +1.1% |
| 2025 | $104,276 | $50.13 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $103,115 | $49.57 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $101,741 | $48.91 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $99,881 | $48.02 | +1.0% |
Senior process engineer jobs by state
Most common states for senior process engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 316 | 46% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,541 | 22% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 251 | 19% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 186 | 19% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 958 | 17% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 645 | 16% |
| 7 | California | 39,536,653 | 5,990 | 15% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,301 | 15% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,081 | 15% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 820 | 15% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 443 | 14% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 148 | 14% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 793 | 13% |
| 14 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,199 | 12% |
| 15 | Vermont | 623,657 | 77 | 12% |
| 16 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 804 | 11% |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 712 | 11% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 210 | 11% |
| 19 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 165 | 10% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 60 | 10% |
Most common cities for senior process engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waltham | 3 | 5% | $113,594 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 2 | 5% | $109,557 |
| 3 | Cambridge | 3 | 3% | $113,633 |
| 4 | Columbia | 3 | 3% | $109,367 |
| 5 | Bowie | 2 | 3% | $109,387 |
| 6 | Huntsville | 3 | 2% | $99,385 |
| 7 | Boston | 10 | 1% | $113,672 |
| 8 | San Diego | 8 | 1% | $124,317 |
| 9 | Tampa | 5 | 1% | $103,415 |
| 10 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $98,001 |
| 11 | Aurora | 3 | 1% | $102,311 |
| 12 | Chandler | 3 | 1% | $111,889 |
| 13 | Des Moines | 3 | 1% | $92,954 |
| 14 | Baton Rouge | 2 | 1% | $130,940 |
| 15 | Birmingham | 2 | 1% | $100,993 |
| 16 | Chicago | 10 | 0% | $102,682 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 4 | 0% | $112,013 |
| 18 | Indianapolis | 3 | 0% | $86,635 |
Senior Process Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior process engineer experts
Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus
University of Southern Mississippi
North Carolina State University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
North Dakota State University
University of Denver
Binghamton University
University of California - Davis
University of Houston - Downtown
Wichita State University
Jerry Gintz CMfgE
Teaching ProfessorArizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus
Manufacturing Engineering
What Senior Process Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jerry Gintz CMfgE: From a manufacturing engineering perspective, the most important skills an engineer will need is the ability to understand, design, assemble, and deploy production capable systems. This includes an expertise with computer-aided engineering tools to assist in the design and verification of engineered systems before a company expends capital on the equipment.
What will help Senior Process Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jerry Gintz CMfgE: From a manufacturing engineering perspective, compensation is normally tied to capability so the more relevant skills a candidate has entering the workforce the higher compensation they can expect to receive. This is especially true in manufacturing given the shortage of qualified engineering talent available for hire. Additionally, consider focusing on industrial automation as a resource to aid efficient production. Manufacturing is always looking to increase efficiency and a foundational knowledge of industrial automation systems will serve you well as you build a career in manufacturing engineering.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Process Engineer?
Dr. James Rawlins: The career field is ripe for students that want to solve problems and be rewarded for doing so consistently. There is a current shortage of STEM related recent graduates based upon both current retiring positions and future needs. Deloitte estimates that there will be 4.6 million manufacturing jobs to fill between 2018 and 2028. There will be a shortfall of 2.4 million and that will drive opportunities and salaries higher, estimated to be 1.7X average all position salary growth (onetonline.org) for those that have STEM related degrees. Polymer scientists, engineers and plastics engineers are highly sought after and needed.
What Senior Process Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. James Rawlins: We graduate polymer scientist and engineers those degrees are slightly different from plastics engineers but also very similar. Our students careers would be focused on utilizing new and legacy technology to deliver new performance and novel applications of polymeric materials. We present skills that allow our students to work in almost every area of research, development and engineering that is related to societal needs. Those that prefer to work daily in a laboratory would be able to do so in most career fields, testing materials, formulating new products and often being the technical lead with customer focused projects to match their needs and expectations. Those that prefer to move from a laboratory to sales and marketing also do so very successfully. The transition from inventing, making and testing polymeric materials happens often for those that prefer to sell and interface with customers. These bachelor degreed scientist and engineers would often travel to customers, explain technical projects and timelines associated with research and development.
What will help Senior Process Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. James Rawlins: Historically, our students love their chosen careers, with the versatility to be in laboratories for product development, new materials synthesis and research, or in sales, marketing, technical marketing, management, production there are plenty of mobility, growth and travel opportunities. Some of our students want small to medium sized companies with lots of diverse challenges and an exciting pace while there are also many exciting opportunities in medium to large companies with many chances for mentoring, to be mentored and to grow within a larger organization. There are plenty of options for all of the varied career outlooks and perspectives.
Dr. Gregory Buckner Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor
Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate ProfessorNorth Carolina State University
Manufacturing Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Senior Process Engineer?
Dr. Gregory Buckner Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor: Experience with robotics and automation, additive manufacturing, and CNC machining processes. Understanding the emerging roles of data analytics and artificial intelligence in process optimization and quality control.
What Senior Process Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Gregory Buckner Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor: One way to maximize your salary potential is to continue the formal education process by taking graduate engineering or business courses. Many employers reimburse the tuition expenses, and with the increasing availability of online courses you can earn a master's degree in engineering or an MBA one course at a time.
Michael Buechler
Professor Manufacturing TechnologyWhat will help Senior Process Engineers increase their earning potential?
Michael Buechler: I would suggest beginning career individuals maintain an open mind as to where their carrer leads, they may find interest in areas of manufacturing not previously known or explored by them. Also work especially hard early in your career and try and find an employer that gives you the best opportunity to grow professionally and learn new skills.
Jianyu Liang
Director of Materials and Manufacturing Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, WPIWorcester Polytechnic Institute
Materials Engineering
What will help Senior Process Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jianyu Liang: Get Your Hands Dirty: There's no substitute for hands-on experience. The lessons learned through direct involvement are invaluable, offering insights and skills that theoretical knowledge alone cannot provide. Embrace every opportunity to participate in projects, volunteer for tasks, and experiment within your role. This proactive approach not only accelerates your learning but also showcases your work ethic and dedication to potential mentors and leaders.
Be Mindful and Intentional in Your Job: While immersing yourself in your work, adopt a reflective practice. Actively seek feedback and analyze your experiences. This intentional approach to learning from every task helps to grow your skills rapidly.
Be Open-Minded and Adaptable: The landscape of nearly every industry is rapidly evolving, particularly with the integration of automation and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies are not just changing the way we work; they are reshaping the skills and roles in demand. Stay open to new ideas, technologies, and methodologies. Continuous learning and adaptability are key to remaining relevant and thriving in a tech-driven workplace. Attend workshops, webinars, and courses on emerging technologies and trends in your field to keep your skills sharp and your perspective fresh.
Cultivate a Professional Network: Building relationships within your industry is crucial. Networking isn't just about finding job opportunities; it's about learning from peers, gaining insights into industry trends, and establishing a support system. Attend industry conferences, join professional organizations, and engage in communities related to your field. These connections can provide guidance, mentorship, and support as you navigate your career path.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Process Engineer job market given the pandemic?
William Cross Ph.D.: The biggest job market trends given the pandemic are working from home, and slightly delayed hiring - in Metallurgical Engineering at SD Mines, it took about 9-12 months for our Spring 2020 graduates to be hired to levels that took less than three months pre-pandemic, although eventually most of our graduates have been placed. The Fall 2020 graduates have seen a similar delay.
I expect some of the work from home will remain into the future, but do not expect the delayed hiring to extend for too much longer. I also expect that in some fields the pandemic has accelerated trends towards greater automation of job functions.
What soft skills should all Senior Process Engineers possess?
William Cross Ph.D.: The soft skills that all graduates should possess are primarily in communication - speaking/writing clearly, and listening/reading comprehension - and in teamwork skills. Being able to function in a variety of roles on a team is very important to success in many jobs.
How have salaries changed over time for Senior Process Engineers?
William Cross Ph.D.: This of course depends on the time range to which the question refers. Over the last 4-5 years salaries have been rather flat on average going by SD Mines graduates in Metallurgical Engineering, although this is working off a rather high baseline. SD Mines has been recognized as the top engineering schools in the nation for return on investment, and Metallugical Engineering has an above average starting salary for SD Mines at around $65,000/year.
Andriy Voronov
ProfessorNorth Dakota State University
Coatings and Polymeric Materials Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Process Engineers?
Andriy Voronov: Since pandemic is not over yet, there may be only a guess on how significant this impact can be. I think answering this question resonates with more general one, namely, "Will our life after COVID-19 be the same as before?" We all want to be positive about that but are just not certain. Moreover, I think in some professional aspects in most fields, changes are unavoidable. Working from home, attending virtual conferences, taking part in Zoom meetings, even virtual get together with colleagues will most probably remain to be a new post-pandemic working routine, by all advantages and disadvantages this may bring to most recent graduates. Speaking about materials science, I hope and do believe that there will be global and impactful factors other than coronavirus pandemic, such as novel materials trends, technological innovations etc., to take into account for graduates.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Senior Process Engineers?
Andriy Voronov: I think most graduate programs in materials science offer opportunities for interdisciplinary research and educational activities. Their philosophy is to educate and prepare job prospects by providing advanced aspects of work, including extensive collaborations between departments, programs, institutions or with industrial partners. Offering specialized trainings in various areas, graduate programs aim to merge basic and applied research within the certain field. With this said, quit often graduate programs work also with leading industrial scientists who help to provide to the graduates new and practical directions to become competitive at the job market. Answering your question more specifically, graduate programs do target as complementary and comprehensive education as possible. It will be interesting to hear from graduates what courses they took have the biggest impact for them, as well as if they need any additional certifications/licenses and which specifically.
How have salaries changed over time for Senior Process Engineers?
Andriy Voronov: Being materials scientist means being able to do lot of things starting from fundamental research on material properties and characterization up to developing entirely new formulations and modify them to make new products suitable for new applications. One should be prepared to work in research lab, but also in pilot plants, as well as in manufacturing facilities. As for the soft skills, those are critical thinking, problem solving, communication, written and oral, including ability to communicate science to scientists, but also nonscientific audience, also flexibility and adaptability in (always) willing to learn. Although not a soft skill, but rather technical one, do not forget about fundamental knowledge and understanding of materials specifics and properties one works with.
Dr. Matt Howard Gordon Ph.D.
Professor & Chair, Mechanical & Materials EngineeringUniversity of Denver
Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Process Engineers?
Dr. Matt Howard Gordon Ph.D.: I think so. At least for a couple years.
What's a good job out of college for Senior Process Engineers?
Dr. Matt Howard Gordon Ph.D.: I think any technical job is a good job for engineers. You build experience, ideally in an area of interest, making it easier to get your next job.
What will help Senior Process Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Matt Howard Gordon Ph.D.: I stress outside the class experiences - internships, undergraduate research, and/or study abroad. I believe all help with earning potential. And maybe students should consider getting their PE.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Senior Process Engineers?
Junghyun Cho Ph.D.: The application of machine learning to materials science is growing, so any courses related to machine learning and data science can be beneficial. Traditionally biomaterials and biomedical engineering topics are not covered much in the materials science curriculum, but the courses covering these topics will be of use. In materials science, there are not many licenses that can be pursued before graduation.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Process Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Junghyun Cho Ph.D.: I think we will see more jobs in the field of autonomous systems, data science, and biomedical engineering because of the pandemic. Materials science and engineering will play a critical role in or be closely related to these fields.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Process Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Philipp Zerbe: Although all sectors have been impacted by the pandemic, I expect careers in the broader area of biology to continue to expand. Major developments in bioinformatics, bioengineering, and especially advances in our ability to read and write nucleic acid sequences drive biological innovation and open job opportunities. Students with a degree in botany or a related field have many career options, including academia, industry, government, and non-profit sectors in the areas of agriculture, biotechnology, environment, and health.
What Senior Process Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Philipp Zerbe: There are several opportunities a student can consider. Improve your background knowledge by taking online classes, reading relevant literature, and attending online seminars that are hosted by universities and scientific societies and are often open to the public. Expand your skillset. For example, in biology and other STEM fields, expertise in programming is an increasingly desired skill. In addition, take advantage of management, entrepreneurship and/or leadership training available either at your university or through reputed online courses. These skills not only are valuable for anyone seeking a leadership role in their career, but also show a forward-looking and self-motivated attitude. Lastly, look for internships (in person or remote), for example, at your university, industry or non-profit organizations. These opportunities are an excellent opportunity to grow professionally and explore possible career avenues
What general advice would you give to a Senior Process Engineer?
Philipp Zerbe: While most career sectors have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, job opportunities in botany, plant biology and biology in general have been affected comparatively less. Therefore, do not be discouraged; explore the many career possibilities in plant biology and find something that truly speaks to your personality and your career dreams and pursue opportunities in this direction. At the same time be flexible and open-minded toward new opportunities. Botany/Plant Biology is a diverse and international field with many different career possibilities. Be open to exploring different fields and to relocate nationally or internationally for internships or job opportunities.
Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Chemistry Program Coordinator, Assistant ChairUniversity of Houston - Downtown
College of Sciences and Technology
What skills stand out on Senior Process Engineer resumes?
Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.: Apart from a good foundation in the chemistry discipline, skills that will stand out on resumes include: experience in various analytical techniques, excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing, ability to work collaboratively (team player), and the ability to think critically to find solutions to problems (problem solving). Another valuable skill nowadays would be to be competent in the use of technology for communication purposes (Zoom, etc.).
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Senior Process Engineers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.: Texas is a good place for Chemistry graduates, particularly the city of Houston, which houses the largest medical center in the world, and the largest petroleum industry hub in the world. Most of our graduates find employment in the oil industry but also in those companies that provide services to the petroleum industry, such as chemical supply, waste disposal, chemical safety, etc. Our graduates also find employment in the medical research field, in research labs such as the famous UT Anderson Cancer Center.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Process Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.: Chemistry graduates can work in a broad spectrum of fields: education, government agencies, research laboratories, and industry (oil, chemical, healthcare, pharmaceutical), and these jobs should still be viable options to Chemistry majors, even during the pandemic. As a result of the pandemic, I anticipate a greater number of opportunities arising in the pharmaceutical industry and the drug discovery field.
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWichita State University
School of Accountancy, Barton School of Business
What type of skills will young Senior Process Engineers need?
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.: The work environment has changed drastically over the past three decades due to the faster pace of innovation and shorter product lifecycles. This has a direct impact on what young graduates need to succeed in the future. The primary skill needed is the ability to learn quickly. The skills that a graduate acquires in college will become obsolete in a few years, so they should not count on those skills as a means for financial security for life. In this environment, flexibility is the key to success: flexibility to learn new skills, flexibility to work in a new and different business environment, and flexibility to work with others. We face very complex problems, and to solve these problems, we need teams rather than individuals to solve them. This highlights the importance of critical thinking, multi-disciplinary vision, and communication skills.
What experience really stands out on Senior Process Engineer resumes?
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.: Employers are looking for people who can integrate in multi-disciplinary environments to solve complex problems. They are looking for resumes that show quick learning. Such resumes will permanently be in great demand. Because the world is interconnected much more than it ever was, employees today will deal with customers, supply-chains, and fellow employees who are spread all over the world. It means that an experience that showcases the global perspective will be in demand over the long-term.