Industrial Engineers vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $66,560 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 192.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $25,600 | +$44,400 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $29,140 | +$52,770 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $34,580 | +$66,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $37,850 | +$89,630 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $47,930 | +$109,210 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $37,150 | +$70,750 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Industrial Engineers or Retail Salespersons?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $66,560 (192.5% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Industrial Engineers and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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