Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become an Industrial Engineering Technologist or Technician Becoming an industrial engineering technologist or technician usually requires either an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation. Community colleges and technical institutes generally offer associate’s degree programs, and vocational–technical schools offer certificate programs.
Education
High school students interested in becoming industrial engineering technologists and technicians should take courses in math, science, and drafting, where available. Postsecondary programs in industrial engineering technology are offered at vocational–technical schools, technical institutes, and community colleges. Vocational–technical schools typically award a certificate. Community colleges programs usually lead to associate’s degrees. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited engineering or engineering technology program. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians may choose to major in applied science, industrial technology, or industrial engineering technology. These programs may include instruction in computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing software, known as CAD/CAM.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of industrial engineering technologists and technicians is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 6,600 openings for industrial engineering technologists and technicians 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 An emphasis on cost control through increased efficiency, along with industrial engineering technologists and technicians' role in assisting with automation, is expected to sustain demand for these workers. Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Total, all occupations 3% Industrial engineering technologists and technicians 3% Drafters, engineering technicians, and mapping technicians 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians Do
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians help engineers solve problems affecting manufacturing layout or production. They prepare machinery and equipment plans, design workflows, conduct statistical production studies, and analyze production costs.
Duties
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians typically do the following:
- Suggest revisions to operation methods, material handling, or equipment layout
- Interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, and formulas
- Confer with management or engineering staff on quality and reliability standards
- Help plan work assignments, considering factors such as machine capabilities and production schedules
- Prepare charts, diagrams, and other graphs to illustrate workflow, routing, floor layouts, how materials are handled, and how machines are used
- Collect data to assist in process improvement activities
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians study the time and steps workers take to do a task (time and motion studies). To set reasonable production rates, they analyze operations such as maintenance, production, and service.
The work of industrial engineering technologists and technicians is versatile and applicable to a variety of projects. For example, in supply chain management, they help businesses minimize inventory costs; in quality assurance, they help with customer satisfaction; and in project management, they help to control costs and maximize efficiencies.
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians generally work on teams under the supervision of industrial engineers.
Manufacturing engineering technologists and technicians work to raise production quality and profitability. By planning, testing, and custom making industrial products, they help engineers improve manufacturing processes and output. They may assess prototypes, analyze machinery performance, or try new production methods.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians held about 76,700 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of industrial engineering technologists and technicians were as follows:
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 15% |
| Computer and electronic product manufacturing | 15 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 11 |
| Machinery manufacturing | 8 |
| Chemical manufacturing | 7 |
Industrial engineers usually ask industrial engineering technologists and technicians to help carry out studies and draw conclusions. Consequently, these technologists and technicians typically work at the location where products are manufactured or services are provided.
Work Schedules
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians usually work a standard schedule. Most work full time.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Analytical skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians assess changes in conditions, operations, and the environment to help industrial engineers figure out how systems should work. Communication skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians must listen carefully to instructions from engineers and must clearly articulate problems to their supervisors. Critical-thinking skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians must identify and correct weaknesses to help industrial engineers solve problems. Detail oriented. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians must record precisely what they measure and observe. Math skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics and statistical techniques to analyze data collected from studies. Observational skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians closely watch the performance of people or organizations so that they can suggest improvements.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about industrial engineering technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.