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The differences between standards engineers and project 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 standards engineer, becoming a project engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a standards engineer has an average salary of $97,266, which is higher than the $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.
The top three skills for a standards engineer include CAD, ISO and IP. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.
| Standards Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,266 | $75,050 |
| Hourly rate | $46.76 | $36.08 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 44,996 | 176,689 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
As a standards engineer, one focuses on the standards and specifications to which people work, how engineering products are developed, and where their quality is based. Standards engineers create technical and engineering applications and limitations for designs, materials, methods, and engineering practices. The engineers work with industrial organization management to maintain a harmonious relationship. They share their knowledge and expertise in engineering technicalities with the field staff. They are effective in carrying out their duties if they have skills in communication, teamwork, innovation, and attention to detail.
A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.
Standards engineers and project engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Standards Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,266 | $75,050 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $149,000 | Between $55,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Everett, WA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a standards engineer and a project engineer in terms of educational background:
| Standards Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between standards engineers' and project engineers' demographics:
| Standards Engineer | Project Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.1% Female, 15.9% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 12.1% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |