Industrial Engineers vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $390 more per year than Project Management Specialists professionals — that's 0.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$59,830$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $59,830 | +$10,170 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $76,950 | +$4,960 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $100,750 | +$390 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $131,660 | $-4,180 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $165,790 | $-8,650 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $108,100 | $-200 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Industrial Engineers or Project Management Specialists?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $390 (0.4% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Industrial Engineers and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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