Human Resources Specialists 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 $28,230 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 38.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Human Resources Specialists earns $126,540 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$45,440$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Specialists | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $45,440 | $70,000 | $-24,560 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,870 | $81,910 | $-26,040 |
| Median (50th) | $72,910 | $101,140 | $-28,230 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,270 | $127,480 | $-30,210 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,540 | $157,140 | $-30,600 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,730 | $107,900 | $-28,170 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
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: Human Resources Specialists or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $28,230 (38.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
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 Human Resources Specialists and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Human Resources Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Specialists has a median salary of $72,910 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