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Industrial Engineer Salary & Career Insights
What is the average salary for an industrial engineer in the United States?
Our salary data comes from BLS.gov. Salary data above is the median annual wage.
Job Outlook & Work Environment
Job Outlook
🚀 336,600; estimated number of industrial engineer jobs. It is estimated that 40,900 new jobs will be added by 2033.
☀️ The projected job outlook for industrial engineers is 12%, which is much faster than average.
Work Environment
💼 Industrial engineers typically work in offices analyzing data or in factories or hospitals observing workers.
🏢 16% of industrial engineers work in transportation equipment manufacturing.
Industrial Engineer Salary in Comparison to Patent Law Salaries
How Does an Industrial Engineer Salary Stack Up?
Patent attorneys earn a higher salary than industrial engineers, with an average annual income of $185,351. Patent agents also earn significantly more than industrial engineers, with an average salary of $130,168 compared to $99,380 for industrial engineers.
Passing the patent bar and transitioning into a career in patent law can earn an industrial engineer a significantly higher salary.
Top Industrial Engineer Salaries by Industry
Industry | Average Salary |
---|---|
Libraries and Other Information Services | $191,600 |
Accounting and Payroll Services | $162,870 |
Other Pipeline Transportation | $156,730 |
Oil and Gas Extraction | $156,480 |
Software Publishers | $137,590 |
Salary by Industrial Engineer Industry
In the U.S., the average industrial engineer salary is $99,380.
Industrial engineers in the libraries and other information services industry earn the highest average salary at $191,600. Those working in accounting and payroll services receive an average salary of $162,870.
Other pipeline transportation and oil and gas extraction industries offer similar average salaries of $156,730 and $156,480, respectively, while software publishers provide an average salary of $137,590.
Experience & Education
Here are some typical daily activities of an industrial engineer:
- Decision Making and Problem Solving — Evaluating information and analyzing outcomes to select the most effective solutions and address problems.
- Working with Computers — Engaging with computer systems and software to program, develop applications, configure functions, input data, and process information.
- Gathering Information — Observing, receiving, and acquiring data from all relevant sources.
- Communication with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Sharing information with supervisors, colleagues, and subordinates via phone, written forms, email, or in-person interactions.
- Creative Thinking — Innovating by developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic endeavors.
Here are the typical skills you need to work as an industrial engineer:
- Active Listening — Paying close attention to others, fully understanding their points, asking relevant questions when needed, and avoiding interruptions at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking — Applying logic and reasoning to pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of various solutions, conclusions, or problem-solving approaches.
- Reading Comprehension — Grasping the meaning of written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Complex Problem Solving — Detecting complex issues, examining related information, and developing, evaluating, and implementing solutions.
- Speaking — Effectively conveying information to others through conversation.
Knowledge required to work as an industrial engineer:
- Engineering and Technology — Understanding the practical application of engineering principles and technology, including using techniques, procedures, and equipment for designing and producing various goods and services.
- Production and Processing — Familiarity with raw materials, production methods, quality control, cost management, and techniques for optimizing the efficient manufacture and distribution of products.
- Mechanical — Insight into machines and tools, covering design, functionality, repair, and maintenance.
- Design — Expertise in design techniques, tools, and principles to create precise technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- English Language — Proficiency in the structure and content of the English language, including word meanings and spellings, composition rules, and grammar.
Top Industrial Engineer Salaries by Location
Factors that Impact Pay
Industrial engineers in Anchorage, AK, earn the highest average salary at $151,220. Midland, TX, and Thibodaux, LA, follow with average salaries of $149,530 and $146,750, respectively. In California, San Jose offers an average salary of $142,550, while Vallejo provides $135,440.
Industrial engineers in Louisiana earn the highest average salary among the states listed, at $126,520. California and Hawaii follow with average salaries of $120,960 and $120,150, respectively. Maryland and Wyoming offer average salaries of $118,460 and $118,160 for industrial engineers.
Take a look at the average industrial engineer salaries from top-paying cities according to Bls.gov data.
City | Average Salary |
---|---|
Anchorage, AK | $151,220 |
Midland, TX | $149,530 |
Thibodaux, LA | $146,750 |
San Jose, CA | $142,550 |
Vallejo, CA | $135,440 |
Look at the average industrial engineer salaries from top-paying states according to Bls.gov data.
State | Average Salary |
---|---|
Louisiana | $126,520 |
California | $120,960 |
Hawaii | $120,150 |
Maryland | $118,460 |
Wyoming | $118,160 |
Related Careers
Patent Agent
Patent agents practice patent law before the USPTO.
Average of $130,168/year
Patent Attorney
Patent attorneys can practice patent law in addition to practicing law in jurisdictions where they are currently admitted.
Average of $185,351/year
Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineers plan and design tools, machines, and other mechanical equipment.
Average of $99,510/year