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Industrial Engineer
Also called: Manufacturing Engineer · Process Engineer · Continuous Improvement Engineer · Lean Engineer
What industrial engineers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an industrial engineer do?
Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes, designing efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials and information. The median pay is $102,440 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4-year engineering degree, and employment is projected to grow +12.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$102,440$49.25/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+12.4%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year23,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train4-year engineering degreeTypical program length
- U.S. jobs365,100Employment, 2025
What industrial engineers do
Industrial engineers make systems work better. They study how work flows, design factory layouts, set standards, improve quality, reduce costs and balance people and machines. They work in manufacturing, hospitals, warehouses, logistics and consulting.
Industrial engineers need a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a related field. BLS projects much faster than average growth.
Typical duties
- Study production processes
- Design layouts
- Set time standards
- Reduce waste
- Improve quality
- Analyze data
- Lead improvement projects
Work environment and schedule
Industrial engineers work in offices and on factory, warehouse and hospital floors.
Schedule: Full-time hours, with some time on off shifts.
A day in the life
- Time-study a station.
- Analyze cycle time data.
- Design a new cell layout.
- Meet production about a bottleneck.
See a full day in the life of an industrial engineer →
Industrial Engineer salary
Half of industrial engineers earned more than $102,440 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $74,370 for the lowest 10% to $159,860 for the top 10%.
Full industrial engineer pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an industrial engineer
- Earn an industrial engineering degree
- Do co-ops or internships
- Pass the FE exam
- Join as an engineer
- Earn lean credentials
A bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a related engineering field is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an industrial engineer →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Process improvement
- Time and motion study
- Facility layout
- Statistics
- Simulation
People skills
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Change leadership
- Teamwork
All industrial engineer skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Much faster-than-average growth
- Work in many industries
- Good pay
- Mix of office and floor
Cons
- Pushback on change
- Deadline pressure
- Noisy plant floors
- Some off-shift work
Certifications and licenses
- PE license: Professional Engineer, optional.
- Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt: Improvement.
- CMfgE: Certified Manufacturing Engineer.
- EIT/FE: Engineer in training.
Career path
- Industrial Engineer: Entry.
- Senior Engineer: Lead projects.
- Engineering Manager: Lead teams.
- Operations Director: Lead operations.
Learn the job before day one
Our Industrial Engineer training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as balance an assembly line and draw a value stream map, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Industrial Engineer vs. Industrial Engineering Technician · Industrial Engineer vs. Industrial Production Manager · Industrial Engineer vs. Operations Research Analyst · Industrial Engineer vs. Mechanical Engineer
Industrial Engineer FAQ
Do industrial engineers work only in factories?
No, also in hospitals, warehouses, logistics and services.
Is the field growing?
Yes, BLS projects much faster than average growth.
Do I need a PE license?
Usually not, but it helps for some roles.
How much does an industrial engineer make?
The median annual wage for industrial engineers was $102,440 ($49.25 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $74,370 and the highest 10% earned more than $159,860.
How long does it take to become an industrial engineer?
Most people need about 4-year engineering degree of training. A bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a related engineering field is required.
Do you need a degree to be an industrial engineer?
Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.
More industrial engineer questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 17-2112 (Industrial engineers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Industrial engineers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.