Data Scientists vs Industrial Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $11,450 more per year than Industrial Engineers professionals — that's 11.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$63,650$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $70,000 | $-6,350 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $81,910 | +$720 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $101,140 | +$11,450 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $127,480 | +$28,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $157,140 | +$37,270 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $107,900 | +$16,690 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Industrial Engineers?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,450 (11.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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