Industrial Engineers vs Office Clerks, General: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $57,510 more per year than Office Clerks, General professionals — that's 131.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $63,840 for Office Clerks, General.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
$29,120$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Office Clerks, General | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $29,120 | +$40,880 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $35,350 | +$46,560 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $43,630 | +$57,510 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $52,560 | +$74,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $63,840 | +$93,300 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $45,470 | +$62,430 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
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 Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Industrial Engineers or Office Clerks, General?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $57,510 (131.8% 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 Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
How many Industrial Engineers and Office Clerks, General jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions and 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Office Clerks, General to Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 while Office Clerks, General earns $43,630. 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