Industrial Engineers vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Median annual salary
199,800 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $1,470 more per year than Industrial Engineers professionals — that's 1.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $60,690 | +$9,310 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $79,520 | +$2,390 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $102,610 | $-1,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $131,870 | $-4,390 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $166,960 | $-9,820 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $110,260 | $-2,360 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
199,800
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 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $165,700 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $139,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $131,640 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $127,940 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,430 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Industrial Engineers or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
What is the salary range for Industrial Engineers?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS