What Industrial Engineers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Industrial Engineers this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product"; "Develop manufacturing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems to promote efficient staff and facility utilization"; "Recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities"; "Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization"; "Apply statistical methods and perform mathematical calculations to determine manufacturing processes, staff requirements, and production standards".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Industrial Engineers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 365,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 410,600 in 2035, an increase of 45,500 jobs (+12.4%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 23,100 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.3% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $102,440, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Industrial Engineers earn the most
Across the 11 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $100,199 in Indiana to $119,642 in California, a gap of $19,443 (1.19 times). 7 of those 11 states average above the BLS national median of $102,440 and 4 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 31,150, which is 12.8% of the 244,230 counted across them. Indiana follows with 30,620.
Highest-paying states
California ($119,642), New Hampshire ($116,558) and Massachusetts ($115,199) lead the ranking, while Indiana ($100,199) and Wisconsin ($100,618) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Industrial Engineers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 12 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Harris County, TX (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX) at $64,926. The smallest margin is $36,822 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 12 of the 12 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 17.4% and 42.1% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Industrial Engineers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (17-2000) include Computer Hardware Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers and Civil Engineers.
Frequently asked questions about Industrial Engineers
What is the national median wage for Industrial Engineers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $102,440. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $100,199 to $119,642.
Which state pays Industrial Engineers the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $119,642. New Hampshire is next at $116,558.
What is the job outlook for Industrial Engineers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 12.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 23,100 openings a year.
What education do Industrial Engineers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Industrial Engineers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Harris County, TX leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $64,926 on a median wage of $111,690.