Why We Love It
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$86,990Potential Avg. Salary
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0.9%Job Growth Rate
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Growing DemandJob Outlook
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Creativity FocusedCareer Attribute
Industrial Engineers develop new ways to eradicate excess during the production processes. They also develop ways to efficiently use workers, machines, materials and energy to make a product or provide a service.
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What is an Industrial Engineer?
The following responsibilities are common for individuals in Industrial Engineering
- Assisting with budgets, financials and cost analysis
- Enacting quality control procedures to reduce and resolve production issues and minimize costs
- Ensuring quality of products through implementing control systems and production planning
- Improving ways to distribute goods and services
- Managing parts, products and services to maximize efficiency
A Day in the Life
An Industrial Engineer will focus on how to get work done effectively, efficiently and rapidly. They find ways to reduce waste and improve performance.
They will design machine and equipment layout in coordination with production planing to ensure the products meet the quality standards while also minimizing production costs and issues. They will create systems for industry problems and must be excellent critical thinkers and have good problem solving skills.
These engineers often operate in teams, therefore must be willing and capable of working with others well. They have to explain instructions to production staff, and being able to clearly and efficiently communicate is beneficial in preventing costly mistakes and loss of time. They will also typically use mathematics like calculus, trigonometry and geometry on a daily basis.
Typical Work Schedule
Most work full-time. However, hours may vary depending on the company and project they work for.
Projected Job Growth
Typical Employers
The industries that employ the most Industrial Engineers are aerospace product and parts manufacturing, motor vehicle parts manufacturing and machinery manufacturing industries.
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How To Become an Industrial Engineer
Industrial Engineers must acquire a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a similar subject matter like manufacturing engineering or mechanical engineering. Almost all employers also value experience and/or a master’s degree for all advanced positions.
A bachelor’s degree program would require courses in statistics, business management, production systems planning, manufacturing systems design, among many others.
The FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam may be taken directly after graduation, Those engineers that are licensed carry a designation of professional engineer (PE). Most states require that an engineer take continuing education course to maintain their licenses.
Unseasoned and beginner engineers typically work under other more experienced and skilled engineers. In some companies, new engineers may also receive added training in classes and seminars.
Industrial Engineer Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$66,680Average
$86,990High Range
$126,920National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$32/hrAverage
$42/hrHigh Range
$61/hrHow do Industrial Engineer salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Industrial Engineer's can make an average annual salary of $86,990, or $42 per hour. On the lower end, they can make $66,680 or $32 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#109 Nationally for All Careers
Above Average Salary Nationally
Programs and Degrees
Here are the most common degrees for becoming an Industrial Engineer. a is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.
Highest Education Among Industrial Engineers
- 2% Doctorate
- 18.4% Masters
- 52.4% Bachelors
- 9.6% Associates
- 11.7% College
- 5.8% High School
- 0.1% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
241,1002024 Est. Jobs
243,200Job Growth Rate
0.9%Est. New Jobs
2,100How does Industrial Engineer job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 2,100 jobs for a total of 243,200 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 0.9% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Above Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#581 Nationally for All Careers
Above Avg. Growth Nationally
What Companies Employ The Most Industrial Engineers
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | 20,300 | 800 | 1% |
| Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing | 14,800 | 500 | 1% |
| Motor vehicle parts manufacturing | 14,000 | 800 | 1% |
