Computer Programmers vs Industrial Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $2,470 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 2.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$52,190$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $70,000 | $-17,810 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $81,910 | $-10,050 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $101,140 | $-2,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $127,480 | +$1,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $157,140 | +$4,950 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $107,900 | $-4,260 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Programmers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,560 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $122,580 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $122,000 |
Best Cities for Industrial Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $139,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,310 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,470 (2.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers salaries range from $52,190 (10th percentile) to $162,090 (90th percentile), with a median of $98,670.
What is the salary range for Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
How many Computer Programmers and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Industrial Engineers earns $101,140. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS