SalaryByCity

Industrial Engineers vs Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)

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

Industrial Engineers

$101,140

Median annual salary

350,230 employed nationally

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$62,340

Median annual salary

632,430 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Industrial Engineers professionals earn $38,800 more per year than Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals — that's 62.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $80,510 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses.

Salary Range Comparison

Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$47,960 – $80,510
$47,960$157,140

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileIndustrial EngineersLicensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesDifference
10th Percentile$70,000$47,960+$22,040
25th Percentile$81,910$55,220+$26,690
Median (50th)$101,140$62,340+$38,800
75th Percentile$127,480$73,160+$54,320
90th Percentile$157,140$80,510+$76,630
Mean (Average)$107,900$64,150+$43,750

Employment Numbers

Industrial Engineers

350,230

employed nationwide

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

632,430

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

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

Best Cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$92,840
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$90,810
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$80,480
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$79,460
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$78,870

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Industrial Engineers or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $38,800 (62.2% 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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salaries range from $47,960 (10th percentile) to $80,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,340.
How many Industrial Engineers and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions and 632,430 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses to Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 while Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earns $62,340. 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