Education Administrators, Postsecondary vs Industrial Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn $2,820 more per year than Industrial Engineers professionals — that's 2.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Education Administrators, Postsecondary earns $212,420 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$63,820 – $212,420
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$63,820$212,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,820 | $70,000 | $-6,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,880 | $81,910 | $-2,030 |
| Median (50th) | $103,960 | $101,140 | +$2,820 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,940 | $127,480 | +$13,460 |
| 90th Percentile | $212,420 | $157,140 | +$55,280 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,450 | $107,900 | +$16,550 |
Employment Numbers
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
176,420
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Education Administrators, Postsecondary
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $137,490 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $136,880 |
| Rochester, NY | $132,150 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $131,910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,330 |
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: Education Administrators, Postsecondary or Industrial Engineers?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,820 (2.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary salaries range from $63,820 (10th percentile) to $212,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,960.
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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 176,420 Education Administrators, Postsecondary positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Education Administrators, Postsecondary has a median salary of $103,960 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