Industrial engineers
SOC Code: 17-2112Also known as:
Continuous Improvement Engineer, District Plant Engineer, Documentation Engineer, Efficiency Analyst, Efficiency Engineer
Median Annual Salary
$101,140
+11.0% growth (2024-2034)
25K
Openings/Year
351K
Current Jobs
What Industrial engineers Do
Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.
💰 Salary
$101,140
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+11.0%
Much faster than average
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
25K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
351,100
Projected Employment (2034)
389,600
Related Careers
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors
$109,660 •
+4.4% growth
Industrial engineers
$101,140 •
+11.0% growth
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians
$64,790 •
+1.7% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
- Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization.
- Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product.
- Confer with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, product and production specifications, manufacturing capabilities, or project status.
- Communicate with management and user personnel to develop production and design standards.
- Evaluate precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan.
- Recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities.
- Record or oversee recording of information to ensure currency of engineering drawings and documentation of production problems.
- Draft and design layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computer.
- Direct workers engaged in product measurement, inspection, and testing activities to ensure quality control and reliability.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Industrial engineers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a industrial engineers:
Industrial Engineering
8,533 degrees awarded •
135 colleges offer this program
Engineering/Industrial Management
7,766 degrees awarded •
179 colleges offer this program
Systems Engineering
3,956 degrees awarded •
98 colleges offer this program
Manufacturing Engineering
900 degrees awarded •
67 colleges offer this program
Packaging Science
391 degrees awarded •
11 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Industrial engineers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become industrial engineers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do industrial engineers make?
The median annual salary for industrial engineers is $101,140.
What education do industrial engineers need?
Most industrial engineers positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Industrial Engineering, Engineering/Industrial Management, Systems Engineering.
Is becoming industrial engineers a good career choice?
Industrial engineers is projected to see +11.0% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is much faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 25,200 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for industrial engineers?
Top colleges for aspiring industrial engineers include
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Florida, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, New York University, Johns Hopkins University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to industrial engineers?
Industrial engineers may also be known as: Continuous Improvement Engineer, District Plant Engineer, Documentation Engineer, Efficiency Analyst, Efficiency Engineer, Efficiency Expert, Engineer, Engineering Inspector, Facilities Engineer, Factory Engineer, Factory Expert, Factory Lay Out Engineer, Factory Lay-Out Engineer, Field Engineer, Industrial Engineer, Industrial Engineering Intern, Industrial Methods Consultant, Liaison Engineer, Logistics Engineer, Methods Engineer.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.