### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Industrial Engineers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			industrial engineers imageIndustrial engineers review production schedules, engineering specifications, and process flows to understand activities in manufacturing and services.							
						Quick Facts:     Industrial Engineers2023     Median Pay
            						$99,380     per year
										$47.78     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    327,300Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    12% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    38,400What Industrial Engineers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Industrial engineers design, develop, and test integrated systems for managing industrial production processes.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Industrial engineers work in a variety of settings, such as offices and manufacturing plants. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
            
                                                How to Become an Industrial Engineer
                                                
                        
Industrial engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a related field, such as mechanical or electrical engineering.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for industrial engineers was $99,380 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of industrial engineers is projected to grow							 12 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 22,800 openings for industrial engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial engineers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial engineers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about industrial engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Industrial Engineers Do 
            

			Industrial engineersIndustrial engineers collect data on processes and production.			
Industrial engineers devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service. They assess workers, quality control, logistics, and other factors involved in coordinating production.
Duties
Industrial engineers typically do the following:
Evaluate manufacturing, delivery, customer experience, or other systems and identify ways to improve productivity and quality
Collect data on processes and production through observations of work activities, time studies, and staff surveys
Analyze data to identify trends and areas for improvement
Design processes, systems, or enhancements to maximize productivity, efficiency, or space
Collaborate with other departments to develop and implement recommendations for improving productivity or performance
Present analysis and recommendations to management and other stakeholdersIndustrial engineers focus on efficiency, balancing factors such as time, number of workers needed, and available technology to accomplish goals safely and within budget. They create products and services that are useful to a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation. For example, they might design systems to help move heavy parts within manufacturing plants, improve hospital wait times, or increase vehicle safety.
The following are examples of types of industrial engineers:
***Human factors engineers*** help with products, facilities, and systems to enhance overall well being and system performance. They study the relationship between humans and technology and use those insights to optimize products and systems. For example, they may study how workers interact with manufacturing equipment and detect potential for human error that may lead to safety risks.
***Manufacturing engineers*** design or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. They may******focus on the automated aspects of manufacturing production, upgrades to facility layout, or changes to processes to reduce costs and improve product quality. They also design manufacturing systems to optimize the use of computer networks, robots, and materials.
***Validation engineers*** ensure that equipment and systems create products that meet safety and quality requirements. They develop and supervise tests, and they evaluate test data or products to determine whether requirements have been met. They also may inspect equipment or computer systems used in the production process.
 Work Environment
			Industrial engineersIndustrial engineers may observe factory or production layouts.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Industrial engineers held about 327,300 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of industrial engineers were as follows:
        Transportation equipment manufacturing
                16%Professional, scientific, and technical services
                13Computer and electronic product manufacturing
                12Machinery manufacturing
                9Fabricated metal product manufacturing
                6Industrial engineers work in a variety of settings. For example, they may observe workers assembling parts in a factory or spend time in an office analyzing data.
Industrial engineers may need to travel from one work setting to another, such as from their office to a hospital or railyard.
Work Schedules
Most industrial engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
 How to Become an Industrial Engineer

			Industrial engineersIndustrial engineers often collaborate with workers across an organization.			
Industrial engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a related field, such as mechanical or electrical engineering.
Education
High school students interested in industrial engineering should take classes in mathematics, such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus; computer science; and sciences, such as chemistry and physics.
Industrial engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or a related field. Some prospective industrial engineers have degrees in other engineering disciplines, such as mechanical, manufacturing, or general engineering. Human factors engineers may need a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Bachelor’s degree programs include academic and laboratory coursework in subjects such as statistics, production systems planning, and manufacturing systems design. Colleges and universities may offer internship or cooperative education programs with businesses, allowing students to gain work experience while completing their education.
Some colleges and universities offer 5-year programs that lead to both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.
Programs in industrial engineering are accredited by ABET.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Licensure is not required for entry-level industrial engineer positions. Experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which allows them to oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public.
State licensure typically requires a bachelor’s or higher degree in engineering, a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, several years of relevant work experience, and a passing score on the PE exam.
Each state issues its own license. Most states recognize licensure from other states, as long as the licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements. Several states require continuing education for engineers to keep their licenses.
Although certification is not required, some industrial engineers choose to earn a professional credential. For example, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Project Management Institute offer certification specific to their areas of focus.
Advancement
Some industrial engineers advance to management positions. In these roles, they may supervise a team of engineers and technicians. For more information, see the profile on architectural and engineering managers.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.***Industrial engineers must be able to convey complex information, both orally and in writing, to technical and nontechnical audiences.******
***Computer skills.***Industrial engineers use software to analyze data and must be proficient in certain programs or applications, such as computer-aided drafting tools.
***Creativity.*** Industrial engineers use ingenuity to design new production processes or service systems in many settings.
***Critical-thinking skills.*** Industrial engineers use logic and reasoning to identify alternative solutions or approaches to the processes and systems they assess.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Industrial engineers often collaborate with workers across an organization and must be able to work as part of a team.
***Math skills.*** Industrial engineers use calculus, trigonometry, and other mathematics in their work to analyze, design, and troubleshoot.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Industrial engineers must be able to recognize issues that arise during production processes and recommend resolutions.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Industrial EngineersMedian annual wages, May 2023Engineers$102,660  Industrial engineers$99,380  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for industrial engineers was $99,380 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $65,320, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $142,220.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for industrial engineers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Professional, scientific, and technical services
                $103,440Computer and electronic product manufacturing
                101,250Transportation equipment manufacturing
                99,630Machinery manufacturing
                95,640Fabricated metal product manufacturing
                82,520Most industrial engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Industrial EngineersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Industrial engineers12%  Engineers7%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of industrial engineers is projected to grow				 12 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 22,800 openings for industrial engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Industrial engineers focus on reducing internal costs, making their work valuable in manufacturing and other industries, such as consulting and engineering services and research and development firms. As more companies look to lower costs, demand is expected to increase for industrial engineers to optimize production processes, manage supply chains and logistics, and provide expertise on automation.

			

                        Employment projections data for     industrial engineers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Industrial engineers**
			17-2112
			327,300
			365,700
			12
			38,400
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Industrial engineers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of industrial engineers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Architectural and Engineering Managers**
            Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in the fields of architecture and engineering.
            Bachelor's degree
            $165,370**Calibration Technologists and Technicians**
            Calibration technologists and technicians inspect, adjust, and test measurement devices against standards, such as those used in manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries.
            Associate's degree
            $62,790**Cost Estimators**
            Cost estimators collect and analyze data in order to assess the time, money, materials, and labor required to make a product or provide a service.
            Bachelor's degree
            $74,740**Health and Safety Engineers**
            Health and safety engineers combine knowledge of engineering and of health and safety to develop procedures and design systems to protect people from illness and injury and property from damage.
            Bachelor's degree
            $103,690**Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians**
            Industrial engineering technologists and technicians help engineers solve problems affecting manufacturing layout or production.
            Associate's degree
            $62,610**Industrial Production Managers**
            Industrial production managers oversee the operations of manufacturing and related plants.
            Bachelor's degree
            $116,970**Logisticians**
            Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain.
            Bachelor's degree
            $79,400**Management Analysts**
            Management analysts recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency.
            Bachelor's degree
            $99,410**Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians**
            Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians collect data on, analyze, and design improvements to work environments and procedures.
            See How to Become One
            $77,580**Quality Control Inspectors**
            Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $45,850
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about industrial engineers, visit
Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers
For more information about general engineering education and career resources, visit
American Society for Engineering Education
Technology Student Association
For more information about licensure as an industrial engineer, visit
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
National Society of Professional Engineers
For more information about certification as a manufacturing engineer, visit
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
For more information about accredited engineering programs, visit
ABET
For more information about human factors engineers, visit
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Occupational Requirements Survey
For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
Industrial engineers (PDF)

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Human Factors Engineers and ErgonomistsIndustrial EngineersManufacturing EngineersValidation Engineers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Industrial Engineers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/industrial-engineers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Thursday, May 16, 2024


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