Career comparison
Engineering Manager vs. Industrial Production Manager
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Engineering managers earn more at the median ($171,270 vs. $126,060), while engineering managers usually get to work faster (5+ years of engineering experience of training). Engineering managers lead teams of engineers who design products, systems and structures. Industrial production managers run a factory’s production so products get made safely, on time and on budget.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Engineering Manager | Industrial Production Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $171,270 ($82.34/hr) | $126,060 ($60.61/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $120,810 – $262,760 | $78,000 – $205,520 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.5% (faster than average) | +2.6% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 14,900 | 17,000 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 5+ years of engineering experience | 5+ years of manufacturing experience |
| Key credential | PE license | Lean Six Sigma Black Belt |
| Work setting | Engineering managers work in offices, labs and plants.. | Production managers work in plant offices and on the factory floor.. |
What each job does
Engineering Manager
- Lead engineering teams
- Set project goals
- Manage budgets
- Review designs
- Hire and coach engineers
Industrial Production Manager
- Plan production schedules
- Manage supervisors and staff
- Track output and costs
- Ensure product quality
- Lead safety programs
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, working with people, high responsibility, and problem-solving. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as leadership and leadership.
Which should you choose?
Choose engineering manager if…
- I’m an engineer who likes leading
- I like strategy
- I can coach people
Choose industrial production manager if…
- I like running operations
- I solve problems fast
- I care about safety
Still torn? Take the Engineering Manager fit quiz and the Industrial Production Manager fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, engineering manager or industrial production manager?
Engineering Managers earn more at the median: $171,270 versus $126,060 for industrial production managers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Engineering Managers typically train faster (5+ years of engineering experience) than industrial production managers (5+ years of manufacturing experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects engineering managers to grow +5.5% from 2025–35, compared with +2.6% for industrial production managers.