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
How to Become an Industrial Engineer Industrial engineers often collaborate with workers across an organization. Industrial engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a related field, such as mechanical or electrical engineering.
Education
High school students interested in industrial engineering should take classes in mathematics, such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus; computer science; and sciences, such as chemistry and physics. Industrial engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or a related field. Some prospective industrial engineers have degrees in other engineering disciplines, such as mechanical, manufacturing, or general engineering. Human factors engineers may need a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Bachelor’s degree programs include academic and laboratory coursework in subjects such as statistics, production systems planning, and manufacturing systems design. Colleges and universities may offer internship or cooperative education programs with businesses, allowing students to gain work experience while completing their education. Some colleges and universities offer 5-year programs that lead to both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Licensure is not required for entry-level industrial engineer positions. Experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which allows them to oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State licensure typically requires a bachelor’s or higher degree in engineering, a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, several years of relevant work experience, and a passing score on the PE exam. Each state issues its own license. Most states recognize licensure from other states, as long as the licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements. Several states require continuing education for engineers to keep their licenses. Information on state licensing board requirements is available from CareerOneStop. Although certification is not required, some industrial engineers choose to earn a professional credential. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. Advancement Some industrial engineers advance to management positions. In these roles, they may supervise a team of engineers and technicians. For more information, see the profile on architectural and engineering managers.
Your Next Step
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
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. Employment Industrial engineers focus on reducing internal costs, making their work valuable in manufacturing and other industries, such as consulting and engineering services and research and development firms. As more companies look to lower costs, demand is expected to increase for industrial engineers to optimize production processes, manage supply chains and logistics, and provide expertise on automation. Industrial Engineers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Industrial engineers 12% Engineers 8% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Industrial Engineers Do
Industrial engineers devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service. They assess workers, quality control, logistics, and other factors involved in coordinating production.
Duties
Industrial engineers typically do the following:
- Evaluate manufacturing, delivery, customer experience, or other systems and identify ways to improve productivity and quality
- Collect data on processes and production through observations of work activities, time studies, and staff surveys
- Analyze data to identify trends and areas for improvement
- Design processes, systems, or enhancements to maximize productivity, efficiency, or space
- Collaborate with other departments to develop and implement recommendations for improving productivity or performance
- Present analysis and recommendations to management and other stakeholders
Industrial engineers focus on efficiency, balancing factors such as time, number of workers needed, and available technology to accomplish goals safely and within budget. They create products and services that are useful to a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation. For example, they might design systems to help move heavy parts within manufacturing plants, improve hospital wait times, or increase vehicle safety.
The following are examples of types of industrial engineers:
Human factors engineers help with products, facilities, and systems to enhance overall well being and system performance. They study the relationship between humans and technology and use those insights to optimize products and systems. For example, they may study how workers interact with manufacturing equipment and detect potential for human error that may lead to safety risks.
Manufacturing engineers design or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. They may focus on the automated aspects of manufacturing production, upgrades to facility layout, or changes to processes to reduce costs and improve product quality. They also design manufacturing systems to optimize the use of computer networks, robots, and materials.
Validation engineers ensure that equipment and systems create products that meet safety and quality requirements. They develop and supervise tests, and they evaluate test data or products to determine whether requirements have been met. They also may inspect equipment or computer systems used in the production process.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Industrial engineers held about 365,100 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of industrial engineers were as follows:
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 15% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 14 |
| Computer and electronic product manufacturing | 11 |
| Machinery manufacturing | 8 |
| Fabricated metal product manufacturing | 6 |
Industrial engineers work in a variety of settings. For example, they may observe workers assembling parts in a factory or spend time in an office analyzing data.
Industrial engineers may need to travel from one work setting to another, such as from their office to a hospital or railyard.
Work Schedules
Most industrial engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
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. Communication skills. Industrial engineers must be able to convey complex information, both orally and in writing, to technical and nontechnical audiences. Computer skills. Industrial engineers use software to analyze data and must be proficient in certain programs or applications, such as computer-aided drafting tools. Creativity. Industrial engineers use ingenuity to design new production processes or service systems in many settings. Critical-thinking skills. Industrial engineers use logic and reasoning to identify alternative solutions or approaches to the processes and systems they assess. Interpersonal skills. Industrial engineers often collaborate with workers across an organization and must be able to work as part of a team. Math skills. Industrial engineers use calculus, trigonometry, and other mathematics in their work to analyze, design, and troubleshoot. Problem-solving skills. Industrial engineers must be able to recognize issues that arise during production processes and recommend resolutions.
More Information
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.
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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.