Industrial Engineer Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $154,039 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $151,058 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $141,120 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $137,144 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $131,182 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $129,194 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $127,206 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $124,225 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $121,244 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $114,287 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $114,287 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $113,293 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $111,306 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $109,318 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $109,318 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $107,330 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $104,349 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $104,349 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $101,368 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $101,368 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $99,380 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $99,380 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $98,386 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $98,386 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $97,392 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $94,411 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $94,411 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $92,423 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $92,423 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $92,423 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $91,430 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $91,430 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $90,436 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $89,442 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $87,454 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $87,454 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $87,454 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $87,454 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $87,454 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $87,454 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $86,461 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $86,461 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $86,461 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $85,467 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $84,473 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $84,473 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $83,479 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $82,485 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $82,485 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $79,504 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $77,516 | -22.0% | High |
A Industrial Engineer's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Industrial Engineers typically earn $65,425–$82,805 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $121,910–$136,142 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Industrial Engineer role currently has high demand in the job market with a 3.2% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Engineering sector.
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What is the average salary for a Industrial Engineer?The average salary for a Industrial Engineer in the United States is $99,380 per year, with a median of $96,980.
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What is the starting salary for a Industrial Engineer?Entry-level Industrial Engineers typically earn between $65,425 and $82,805 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Industrial Engineers the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Industrial Engineers the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Industrial Engineer make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $99,380, a Industrial Engineer earns approximately $47.78 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Industrial Engineer a good career in 2026?Yes — the Industrial Engineer role has high demand with 3.2% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.