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Engineering technician (industrial): pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$66,120median pay per year, or $31.79 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $47,300lowest 10% earn less
  2. $55,76025th percentile
  3. $66,120median
  4. $80,28075th percentile
  5. $99,150top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians had a median pay of $66,120 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, a little slower than the 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3.1%[2]
Openings per year
6,600[6]
Typical entry education
Associate's degree[7]

How much do engineering technicians make?

The median pay for industrial engineering technologists and technicians was $66,120 a year, or $31.79 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $70,700 a year, or $33.99 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[5].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $47,300 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $99,150[4].

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[4][9] $47,300 $22.74
25th[4][9] $55,760 $26.81
Median[1] $66,120 $31.79
75th[4][9] $80,280 $38.59
90th[4][9] $99,150 $47.67

A percentile is a boundary. BLS publishes percentile wages and not a starting salary[10]. These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits[11]. About 75,570 people held these wage and salary jobs in May 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

Among the 45 states with published data, Oklahoma was first at $79,330, then Maryland at $79,090 and California at $79,070[13]. Washington ($78,430) and Oregon ($75,760) came next[13]. Mississippi was last on the list at $50,180[13].

California had the most jobs at 5,710, followed by Michigan at 5,410, Minnesota at 5,380, Ohio at 5,340 and Texas at 5,060[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA was first at $90,660, followed by Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $90,620[15]. The Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington area had the most jobs, at 4,340, with a median of $73,060[16].

Show median pay in 45 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Oklahoma[13]$79,330750
Maryland$79,090490
California$79,0705,710
Washington$78,4301,050
Oregon$75,760910
New Jersey$72,890920
Vermont$72,410110
Massachusetts$71,8302,070
Illinois$71,0902,260
Minnesota$70,4905,380
New York$70,2904,090
South Carolina$70,0802,400
North Carolina$69,7201,940
New Hampshire$69,650620
Connecticut$69,260670
Utah$67,4901,400
Colorado$66,850930
Alabama$66,5101,010
Virginia$66,3101,270
Arizona$66,0402,080
Ohio$65,4905,340
Wisconsin$65,2702,660
Pennsylvania$65,2601,790
Georgia$65,0601,840
Michigan$64,5105,410
Iowa$64,410710
North Dakota$64,060100
Idaho$63,150300
Indiana$63,1102,560
Maine$63,070310
Missouri$62,4401,220
Arkansas$62,210330
Texas$62,0205,060
Nevada$61,470990
Florida$61,3503,110
New Mexico$61,280480
Kentucky$61,1401,330
Kansas$61,000570
Montana$60,33090
Nebraska$59,970240
Rhode Island$59,420170
Tennessee$58,0702,650
West Virginia$57,240140
South Dakota$54,570310
Mississippi$50,180n/a

How to become an engineering technician

BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical education for entry, with no related work experience and no on-the-job training typically needed[7]. The Occupational Outlook Handbook adds that a postsecondary certificate can also lead into the job[17].

Employers may prefer candidates who finished an accredited engineering or engineering technology program[21].

Skills that BLS names as important include analysis, communication, critical thinking, attention to detail, math and observation[22][23][24][25][26][27]. O*NET places the job in a group where earlier skills, knowledge or experience are needed[28].

What engineering technicians do

O*NET says these workers apply engineering ideas to problems of factory layout or production, usually working under engineering staff[29]. Some also run time and motion studies to set standard production rates or improve efficiency[29]. Common tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as industrial engineering analyst, PLC technician and quality control engineering technician[31].

Where they work

These workers typically work at the site where products are made or services are delivered, because they help engineers carry out studies[32]. Transportation equipment manufacturing was the largest employer, with 15% of jobs in 2025[33]. BLS says they usually work a standard schedule, and most work full time[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 76,700 to 79,000 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[3]. These projection counts include self-employed workers, and 1.2% of these workers were self-employed in 2025[2][35].

About 6,600 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs that come up when people retire or move to other work, and not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3% of workers leave the labor force and 5.2% move to a different occupation[36].

Is it a good fit?

Pay sits above the all-occupations median, and the typical entry path is an associate's degree with no experience required[1][5][7]. Growth is projected to be close to, but a little below, the all-occupations rate[2][3]. Openings are projected at about 6,600 a year, which includes replacement of workers who leave[6]. Work is usually at the production site on a standard schedule[32][34]. Related jobs that typically ask for a bachelor's degree, such as industrial engineers, had a higher median of $102,440[37].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an industrial engineering technician make an hour?
The median was $31.79 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $33.99[1][8].
What degree do you need to be an engineering technician?
BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education, with no related experience or on-the-job training[7]. A postsecondary certificate can also lead in[17].
Is industrial engineering technician work in demand?
BLS projects 3.1% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 6,600 openings a year[2][3][6].
What is the highest paying state for industrial engineering technicians?
Oklahoma was first at $79,330, followed by Maryland at $79,090 and California at $79,070[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians in the US was $66,120 per year and $31.79 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians is projected to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 76,700 to 79,000 jobs (a change of +2,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $47,300, 25th percentile $55,760, 75th percentile $80,280, 90th percentile $99,150. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 6,600 openings for Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians was $70,700 per year and $33.99 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $22.74, 25th percentile $26.81, 75th percentile $38.59, 90th percentile $47.67. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 75,570 people were employed as Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians jobs: California 5,710; Michigan 5,410; Minnesota 5,380; Ohio 5,340; Texas 5,060. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $90,660; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $90,620; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $84,410; Oklahoma City, OK $83,370; Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $82,480; Ogden, UT $82,370; Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $82,270; Warner Robins, GA $82,120. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians jobs: Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 4,340 (median $73,060); Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 2,770 (median $76,190); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 1,760 (median $65,120); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 1,580 (median $74,250); Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN 1,480 (median $77,600); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 1,470 (median $77,190). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET 17-3026.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET description of Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET task list for Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET 17-3026.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech), Industrial Engineering Analyst, Industrial Engineering Technician (Industrial Engineering Tech), Industrial Technician (Industrial Tech), Manufacturing Coordinator, PLC Tech (Programmable Logic Controller Technician), QC Engineering Technician (Quality Control Engineering Technician), Quality Management Coordinator. O*NET OnLine
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of industrial engineering technologists and technicians in 2025: Transportation equipment manufacturing 15%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: 1.2% of Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.