Industrial Engineers vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $57,680 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 132.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$35,100$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $35,100 | +$34,900 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $36,920 | +$44,990 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $43,460 | +$57,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $48,580 | +$78,900 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $59,450 | +$97,690 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $44,800 | +$63,100 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
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 Pharmacy Technicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $70,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $61,990 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,960 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $55,810 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $54,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Industrial Engineers or Pharmacy Technicians?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $57,680 (132.7% 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 Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians salaries range from $35,100 (10th percentile) to $59,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,460.
How many Industrial Engineers and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 while Pharmacy Technicians earns $43,460. 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