Industrial Engineer
Design better ways to make products and deliver services with less waste.
- $102,440
- 4-year engineering degree
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Industrial Engineering Technician
Also called: Manufacturing Technician · Process Technician · IE Technician · Production Engineering Technician
What industrial engineering technicians 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 engineering technician do?
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians help engineers solve problems affecting manufacturing layout or production by collecting data, studying processes and preparing layouts. The median pay is $66,120 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2-year degree, and employment is projected to grow +3.1% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$66,120$31.79/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.1%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year6,600Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationAssociate's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train2-year degreeTypical program length
- U.S. jobs76,700Employment, 2025
What industrial engineering technicians do
Industrial engineering technicians gather the data that drives improvement. They time-study jobs, collect production and quality data, draw layouts, help set up new equipment, write work instructions and support lean projects.
Most have an associate degree in engineering technology. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Collect time and production data
- Draw layouts
- Write work instructions
- Support equipment setup
- Track quality data
- Support improvement projects
- Prepare reports
Work environment and schedule
Technicians work on plant floors and in engineering offices.
Schedule: Full time, sometimes on off shifts.
A day in the life
- Collect downtime data.
- Time-study a new job.
- Update a floor layout in CAD.
- Write work instructions.
See a full day in the life of an industrial engineering technician →
Industrial Engineering Technician salary
Half of industrial engineering technicians earned more than $66,120 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $47,300 for the lowest 10% to $99,150 for the top 10%.
Full industrial engineering technician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an industrial engineering technician
- Earn an associate degree
- Learn CAD and Excel
- Get hired
- Earn lean credentials
- Advance
An associate degree in engineering technology is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an industrial engineering technician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Time study
- Data collection
- CAD
- Work instructions
- Lean tools
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Curiosity
All industrial engineering technician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two-year path
- Hands-on and data work
- Good pay
- Path to engineering
Cons
- Floor noise
- Repetitive data collection
- Pushback from operators
- Shift work at times
Certifications and licenses
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow or Green Belt: Improvement.
- CQT: Certified Quality Technician.
- CAD certificate: Drafting.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
Career path
- IE Technician: Entry.
- Senior Technician: Lead projects.
- Industrial Engineer: With a degree.
- Engineering Manager: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Industrial Engineering Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as do a time study on a workstation and write clear work instructions, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Industrial Engineering Technician vs. Industrial Engineer · Industrial Engineering Technician vs. QC Inspector · Industrial Engineering Technician vs. Production Planner · Industrial Engineering Technician vs. Mechanical Engineering Tech
Industrial Engineering Technician FAQ
Do IE technicians need a degree?
An associate degree is typical.
Can they become engineers?
Yes, with a bachelor’s.
Is the field growing?
BLS projects about average growth.
How much does an industrial engineering technician make?
The median annual wage for industrial engineering technicians was $66,120 ($31.79 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $47,300 and the highest 10% earned more than $99,150.
How long does it take to become an industrial engineering technician?
Most people need about 2-year degree of training. An associate degree in engineering technology is typical.
Do you need a degree to be an industrial engineering technician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education.
More industrial engineering technician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 17-3026 (Industrial engineering technologists and technicians).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Industrial engineering technologists and technicians (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.