Cost Estimators 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 $24,070 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 31.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$46,330$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $70,000 | $-23,670 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $81,910 | $-22,080 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $101,140 | $-24,070 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $127,480 | $-27,850 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $157,140 | $-28,500 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $107,900 | $-24,740 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
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: Cost Estimators or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,070 (31.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
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 Cost Estimators and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 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