SalaryByCity

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare vs Industrial Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

$56,270

Median annual salary

71,620 employed nationally

Industrial Engineers

$101,140

Median annual salary

350,230 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Industrial Engineers professionals earn $44,870 more per year than Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare professionals — that's 79.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare earns $96,400 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.

Salary Range Comparison

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$37,060 – $96,400
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$37,060$157,140

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileEducation and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and DaycareIndustrial EngineersDifference
10th Percentile$37,060$70,000$-32,940
25th Percentile$45,310$81,910$-36,600
Median (50th)$56,270$101,140$-44,870
75th Percentile$72,690$127,480$-54,790
90th Percentile$96,400$157,140$-60,740
Mean (Average)$62,640$107,900$-45,260

Employment Numbers

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

71,620

employed nationwide

Industrial Engineers

350,230

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

CityMedian
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$79,000
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$77,390
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$64,180
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$62,530
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$61,880

Best Cities for Industrial Engineers

CityMedian
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 and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $44,870 (79.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salaries range from $37,060 (10th percentile) to $96,400 (90th percentile), with a median of $56,270.
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 and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 71,620 Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare has a median salary of $56,270 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