Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn $66,120 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $55,760 and $80,280. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.
Also known as:
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn $66,120 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,760 and $80,280. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Near the national median for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects +1.7% employment change for Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 6,300 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Slower than average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $66,120 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio | 6,200 | $63,690 | -3.7% |
| 2 | Michigan | 5,800 | $62,040 | -6.2% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,430 | $66,260 | +0.2% |
| 4 | Texas | 5,160 | $60,900 | -7.9% |
| 5 | California | 3,990 | $77,350 | +17.0% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians positions require a associate's degree to qualify. The 4 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Industrial Production Tech | 11,351 | $80,890 | 586 |
| 2 | Environmental Tech | 7,918 | $89,619 | 227 |
| 3 | Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 4,002 | $80,526 | 261 |
| 4 | Quality Control Tech | 3,540 | $86,525 | 171 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | Stanford University Stanford, CA | 92 | $13,807 | $124,080 |
| 3 | Rice University Houston, TX | 91 | $13,370 | $89,718 |
| 4 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA | 91 | $12,116 | $102,772 |
| 5 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL | 90 | $10,411 | $58,308 |
| 6 | Florida International University Miami, FL | 90 | $9,288 | $60,249 |
Once you've sized up Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
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The data on Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians shows 2 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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