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.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
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
Industrial engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a related field, such as mechanical or electrical engineering. PayThe median annual wage for industrial engineers was $102,440 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of industrial engineers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 23,100 openings for industrial engineers 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial engineers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial engineers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about industrial engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for industrial engineers was $102,440 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of industrial engineers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 23,100 openings for industrial engineers 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial engineers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial engineers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about industrial engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of industrial engineers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 23,100 openings for industrial engineers 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial engineers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial engineers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about industrial engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Industrial engineers design, develop, and test integrated systems for managing industrial production processes.
Work Environment
Industrial engineers work in a variety of settings, such as offices and manufacturing plants. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become an Industrial Engineer
Industrial engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a related field, such as mechanical or electrical engineering.
Pay
The median annual wage for industrial engineers was $102,440 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of industrial engineers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 23,100 openings for industrial engineers 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial engineers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial engineers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about industrial engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Industrial engineers work in a variety of settings, such as offices and manufacturing plants. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become an Industrial Engineer
Industrial engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a related field, such as mechanical or electrical engineering.
Pay
The median annual wage for industrial engineers was $102,440 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of industrial engineers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 23,100 openings for industrial engineers 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial engineers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial engineers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about industrial engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for industrial engineers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of industrial engineers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about industrial engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about industrial engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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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.