by our College Data Analytics TeamWhen resources are wasted in manufacturing, money is also being wasted. Industrial Engineering (IE) graduates use their skills to help create ways to efficiently use resources during production processes and save companies money that they can reinvest into their business.
Industrial Engineering students focus on how people use production systems, so they can make the systems easier to use. By discovering ways to help people use these systems more efficiently, less resources are wasted and more products are created. To learn these skills, students take classes in calculus, design, mechanics, engineering, and applied mathematics along with classes on ergonomics and how people factor into the production process.
A degree in Industrial Engineering explores Industrial Engineering. Continue reading for the important information every industrial engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering industrial engineering programs.
Across the country, industrial engineering is a widely-pursued major, with 8,533 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Industrial Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 135 schools to determine the best overall colleges for industrial engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of industrial engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Industrial Engineering develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations industrial engineering graduates commonly enter.
Since Industrial Engineering takes into account the role people have in production, Industrial Engineers must have good interpersonal and communication skills. They will spend their time talking with customers and production staff about what improvements need to be made and how they will affect employees. Industrial Engineering students must also have strong critical thinking skills to create ideas for improving efficiency and teamwork skills to work with other professionals in testing and implementing solutions.
Industrial engineers work full time in office settings. They will occasional make visits to a factory or the company they are working with to observe employees and machinery, but planning is often done on computers through the use of computer-aided design programs.
Proper schooling along with relevant experience is required when pursuing a career in Industrial Engineering. It is recommended that students work a summer job or internship or participate in a cooperative-education program in this field while in school to gain additional, hands-on experience.
While a bachelor's degree will allow graduates to find entry-level jobs in this field, some Industrial Engineering professionals decide to get their master's degree. This advanced degree along with previous experience may lead to jobs with a higher salary.
Skills emphasized by a industrial engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a industrial engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several industrial engineering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 16 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,848 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,266 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 384 |
People currently working in careers related to industrial engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 36.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.4% |
| Master’s degree | 10.0% |
| Some college courses | 7.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 5.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in industrial engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
There are many possible careers for Industrial Engineering students. Some graduates have pursued careers in the aeronautics field, while others have gone to work at engineering firms, automobile manufacturers, or for architectural companies. Industrial Engineering graduates have a broad education that makes them well prepared for jobs in a variety of different industries.
Graduates should still be able to find jobs due to their versatile education. Many industries use machinery or production systems allowing Industrial Engineer graduates many career options.
A degree in industrial engineering can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to industrial engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to industrial engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Geothermal Production Managers | 503,620 | 1.9% |
| Biomass Power Plant Managers | 450,707 | 4.2% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists | 395,031 | 12.1% |
| Validation Engineers | 298,574 | 4.8% |
| Quality Control Systems Managers | 241,551 | -3.1% |
| Industrial Production Managers | 219,777 | -3.0% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of industrial engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $77,049 |
| 4 years | $88,006 |
| 5 years | $100,420 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for industrial engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers industrial engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Biofuels Production Managers | $164,096 |
| Geothermal Production Managers | $160,381 |
| Biomass Power Plant Managers | $146,025 |
| Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists | $128,495 |
| Industrial Production Managers | $126,666 |
| Industrial Engineers | $120,863 |
| Quality Control Systems Managers | $108,531 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
With 135 different industrial engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased industrial engineering school rankings to help you.
Students interested in industrial engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26,760 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,005 |
| Computer Engineering | 19,986 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,939 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
| Engineering, Other | 3,529 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
