Industrial Engineers vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $1,180 more per year than Industrial Engineers professionals — that's 1.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$68,740$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $68,740 | +$1,260 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $81,800 | +$110 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $102,320 | $-1,180 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $130,290 | $-2,810 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $161,240 | $-4,100 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $110,080 | $-2,180 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
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 Mechanical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $147,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $145,640 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,660 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $126,870 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $124,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Industrial Engineers or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,180 (1.2% 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 Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers salaries range from $68,740 (10th percentile) to $161,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,320.
How many Industrial Engineers and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 while Mechanical Engineers earns $102,320. 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