Industrial Engineers vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $24,850 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 32.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$47,640$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $47,640 | +$22,360 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $58,980 | +$22,930 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $76,290 | +$24,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $97,190 | +$30,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $115,280 | +$41,860 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $79,320 | +$28,580 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $150,650 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115,630 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $114,200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,630 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Industrial Engineers or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,850 (32.6% 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries range from $47,640 (10th percentile) to $115,280 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,290.
How many Industrial Engineers and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions and 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers to Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 while Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $76,290. 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