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Industrial engineer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$102,440median pay per year, or $49.25 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $74,370lowest 10% earn less
  2. $83,60025th percentile
  3. $102,440median
  4. $129,25075th percentile
  5. $159,860top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Industrial engineers had a median pay of $102,440 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to grow 12.4% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+12.4%[2]
Openings per year
23,100[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do industrial engineers make?

The median wage for industrial engineers was $102,440 a year, or $49.25 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean wage was $109,900 a year, or $52.84 an hour[7].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $74,370 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $83,600[3]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $129,250, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $159,860[3]. Hourly, those boundaries were $35.76, $40.19, $62.14 and $76.85[8]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

The median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980[4].

These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed and do not count nonproduction bonuses or the cost of benefits[10]. About 365,740 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Alaska had the highest median annual wage at $156,510, but that figure rests on only 220 jobs[12]. Washington ($129,050), Oregon ($128,290), New Mexico ($128,090) and California ($124,600) followed in that order[12].

California had the most jobs, 32,680[13]. Michigan (30,990), Texas (30,980), Ohio (23,480) and Illinois (18,640) came next[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Anchorage, AK had the highest median at $171,910, followed by Charleston, WV ($143,860) and Midland, TX ($141,120)[14]. The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area had the most jobs, 17,350, with a median of $104,110[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Alaska[12]$156,510220
Washington$129,0506,130
Oregon$128,2905,810
New Mexico$128,0901,140
California$124,60032,680
Hawaii$123,80050
Louisiana$122,9201,710
Wyoming$122,070240
Delaware$120,190820
Maryland$119,9303,900
Colorado$109,7505,200
Massachusetts$109,42011,470
Rhode Island$109,350990
West Virginia$108,360850
Arizona$108,2807,520
Texas$104,56030,980
Montana$104,430390
Connecticut$104,1606,020
Utah$103,9405,520
New Jersey$103,8406,870
District of Columbia$103,300160
Vermont$103,010440
Minnesota$102,66017,580
New York$102,64011,810
Virginia$102,5505,580
Nevada$102,0901,570
Michigan$101,68030,990
Florida$101,61014,050
New Hampshire$101,3101,940
South Carolina$101,0607,960
Maine$101,0301,030
Idaho$100,8401,330
Illinois$100,54018,640
Georgia$100,1008,940
Ohio$100,06023,480
Alabama$99,8807,650
Kansas$99,8303,450
Pennsylvania$99,56013,180
North Carolina$99,31011,580
Missouri$99,2905,070
Tennessee$99,0807,440
Arkansas$98,4101,710
Nebraska$98,1701,160
Iowa$97,6903,600
Oklahoma$97,5102,170
Indiana$97,48011,680
Wisconsin$96,98013,070
North Dakota$96,940600
Kentucky$96,8206,070
Mississippi$95,8302,450
South Dakota$93,200830

How to become an industrial engineer

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, with no related work experience and no on-the-job training[6].

High school students interested in the field should take math, computer science and science classes[20]. In an O*NET survey of 29 workers, 59% said a bachelor's degree was the education required[21].

Licensure is not required for entry-level jobs[22]. Experienced engineers may earn a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which lets them oversee other engineers, sign off on projects and serve the public directly[22]. State licensure typically needs an engineering degree, a passing score on the FE exam, several years of work experience, then a passing score on the PE exam[23]. Each state issues its own license[24]. Certification is not required, but some engineers choose to earn a professional credential[25].

Some industrial engineers move into management and supervise teams of engineers and technicians[26].

What industrial engineers do

O*NET describes the job as designing, developing, testing and evaluating systems that manage industrial production[27]. Common tasks include:

BLS names communication and computer skills as important qualities[29][30]. Workers reported titles such as Process Engineer, Plant Engineer and Continuous Improvement Engineer[31].

Where they work

Industrial engineers work in different settings. They may watch assembly on a factory floor or analyze data in an office[32]. They may travel between sites, such as from an office to a hospital or railyard[33]. Most work full time, and some put in more than 40 hours a week[34].

The largest employer group in 2025 was transportation equipment manufacturing, at 15% of jobs[35]. Only 0.3% of industrial engineers were self-employed in 2025[36].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 12.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 365,100 to 410,600 jobs[2]. Growth for all occupations is projected at 3.5%[37]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS also expects about 23,100 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs created when people retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 1.8% of workers leave the labor force and 3% move to a different occupation[38]. BLS links demand to increasingly complex manufacturing processes, logistics and supply chains[39].

Is it a good fit?

The median pay was above the all-occupations median[1][4]. Projected growth is faster than the all-occupations rate[2][37]. The usual entry route is a bachelor's degree, with no license needed for entry-level jobs[6][22]. Pay still varies widely, from under $74,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to above $159,860 for the top 10%[3]. The work mixes data analysis, planning and talking with managers and vendors[28].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[40].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an industrial engineer make an hour?
The BLS median was $49.25 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $52.84[1][7].
What degree do you need to be an industrial engineer?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[6]. It is usually in industrial engineering or a close field such as mechanical or electrical engineering[16].
Do industrial engineers need a license?
Licensure is not required for entry-level positions[22]. Experienced engineers may earn a PE license[22].
Is industrial engineering in demand?
BLS projects 12.4% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 23,100 openings a year[2][37][5].
What is the highest paying state for industrial engineers?
Alaska had the highest median, $156,510, based on 220 jobs[12]. Washington came next at $129,050[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Industrial Engineers in the US was $102,440 per year and $49.25 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Industrial Engineers is projected to grow 12.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 365,100 to 410,600 jobs (a change of +45,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Industrial Engineers: 10th percentile $74,370, 25th percentile $83,600, 75th percentile $129,250, 90th percentile $159,860. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 23,100 openings for Industrial Engineers 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
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Industrial Engineers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Industrial Engineers was $109,900 per year and $52.84 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Industrial Engineers: 10th percentile $35.76, 25th percentile $40.19, 75th percentile $62.14, 90th percentile $76.85. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 365,740 people were employed as Industrial Engineers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Industrial Engineers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Industrial Engineers jobs: California 32,680; Michigan 30,990; Texas 30,980; Ohio 23,480; Illinois 18,640. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Industrial Engineers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Anchorage, AK $171,910; Charleston, WV $143,860; Midland, TX $141,120; Lexington Park, MD $139,600; Billings, MT $139,420; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $136,950; Albuquerque, NM $132,290; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $132,230. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Industrial Engineers jobs: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 17,350 (median $104,110); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 13,970 (median $104,730); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 12,750 (median $101,760); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 11,460 (median $113,040); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 10,680 (median $105,640); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 9,010 (median $118,970). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. 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. O*NET 17-2112.00 survey of workers (29 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 59%, Some College Courses 16%, Master's Degree 11%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 8% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. O*NET description of Industrial Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Industrial Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. O*NET 17-2112.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Continuous Improvement Engineer, Engineer, Facilities Engineer, Industrial Engineer, Operations Engineer, Plant Engineer, Process Engineer, Project Engineer. O*NET OnLine
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of industrial engineers in 2025: Transportation equipment manufacturing 15%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections: 0.3% of Industrial Engineers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  38. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Industrial Engineers: 1.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  39. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Industrial Engineers: Demand change - share increases as increasingly complex manufacturing processes, logistics and supply chains drive demand for industrial engineers to design and develop them. BLS Employment Projections
  40. 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.