Industrial Engineers vs Insurance Sales Agents: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $40,770 more per year than Insurance Sales Agents professionals — that's 67.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $135,660 for Insurance Sales Agents.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Insurance Sales Agents$36,390 – $135,660
$36,390$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Insurance Sales Agents | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $36,390 | +$33,610 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $45,520 | +$36,390 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $60,370 | +$40,770 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $91,150 | +$36,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $135,660 | +$21,480 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $81,510 | +$26,390 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Insurance Sales Agents
469,480
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Insurance Sales Agents
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $81,890 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $79,860 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $78,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $77,630 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $76,570 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Industrial Engineers or Insurance Sales Agents?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $40,770 (67.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Insurance Sales Agents?
Insurance Sales Agents salaries range from $36,390 (10th percentile) to $135,660 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,370.
How many Industrial Engineers and Insurance Sales Agents jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions and 469,480 Insurance Sales Agents positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Sales Agents to Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 while Insurance Sales Agents earns $60,370. 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