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The differences between senior process technicians and 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 senior process technician and a process engineer. Additionally, a process engineer has an average salary of $82,443, which is higher than the $77,354 average annual salary of a senior process technician.
The top three skills for a senior process technician include OSHA, SR and management system. The most important skills for a process engineer are continuous improvement, sigma, and lean manufacturing.
| Senior Process Technician | Process Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $77,354 | $82,443 |
| Hourly rate | $37.19 | $39.64 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 49,260 | 66,937 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A senior process technician collects data through various experiments aimed at supporting the optimization of processes. They are tasked with testing existing technology, advising ways to boost production, and instituting new technology where necessary. Their other responsibilities include validating production equipment, planning and performing setups, monitoring and guiding production teams, conducting process test runs, and providing insights, technical assistance, and recommendations to engineering and process development personnel.
A Process Engineer is responsible for coming up with innovative ways to process particular raw materials into different kinds of products. They can also modify various existing machines or maintain their quality by monitoring its functions and conducting tests and examinations. A Process Engineer must do numerous analyses and research to gather data that would help determine possible improvements or decisions to uphold. Furthermore, A Process Engineer also has the task of procuring and installing new equipment, collecting and interpreting data, assessing risks, and ensuring that tasks are done safely.
Senior process technicians and process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Process Technician | Process Engineer | |
| Average salary | $77,354 | $82,443 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $128,000 | Between $62,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Rio Rancho, NM |
| Highest paying state | - | New Mexico |
| Best paying company | - | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior process technician and a process engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Process Technician | Process Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between senior process technicians' and process engineers' demographics:
| Senior Process Technician | Process Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.2% Female, 25.8% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 15.6% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 4% |