Industrial engineering technologists and technicians help engineers solve problems affecting manufacturing layout or production. They prepare machinery and equipment plans, design workflows, conduct statistical production studies, and analyze production costs.
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians typically do the following:
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians study the time and steps workers take to do a task (time and motion studies). To set reasonable production rates, they analyze operations such as maintenance, production, and service.
The work of industrial engineering technologists and technicians is versatile and applicable to a variety of projects. For example, in supply chain management, they help businesses minimize inventory costs; in quality assurance, they help with customer satisfaction; and in project management, they help to control costs and maximize efficiencies.
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians generally work on teams under the supervision of industrial engineers.
Manufacturing engineering technologists and technicians work to raise production quality and profitability. By planning, testing, and custom making industrial products, they help engineers improve manufacturing processes and output. They may assess prototypes, analyze machinery performance, or try new production methods.
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians held about 64,200 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of industrial engineering technologists and technicians were as follows:
| Computer and electronic product manufacturing | 20% |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 14 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 10 |
| Machinery manufacturing | 7 |
| Chemical manufacturing | 6 |
Industrial engineers usually ask industrial engineering technologists and technicians to help carry out studies and draw conclusions. Consequently, these technologists and technicians typically work at the location where products are manufactured or services are provided.
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians usually work a standard schedule. Most work full time.
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation. Community colleges and technical institutes generally offer associate’s degree programs, and vocational–technical schools offer certificate programs.
High school students interested in becoming industrial engineering technologists and technicians should take courses in math, science, and drafting, where available.
Postsecondary programs in industrial engineering technology are offered at vocational–technical schools, technical institutes, and community colleges. Vocational–technical schools typically award a certificate. Community colleges programs usually lead to associate’s degrees.
Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have completed an engineering or engineering technology program accredited by ABET.
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians may choose to major in applied science, industrial technology, or industrial engineering technology. These programs may include instruction in computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing software, known as CAD/CAM.
Analytical skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians assess changes in conditions, operations, and the environment to help industrial engineers figure out how systems should work.
Communication skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians must listen carefully to instructions from engineers and must clearly articulate problems to their supervisors.
Critical-thinking skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians must identify and correct weaknesses to help industrial engineers solve problems.
Detail oriented. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians must record precisely what they measure and observe.
Math skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics and statistical techniques to analyze data collected from studies.
Observational skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians closely watch the performance of people or organizations so that they can suggest improvements.
Median annual wages, May 2021
The median annual wage for industrial engineering technologists and technicians was $60,220 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,790, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $85,530.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for industrial engineering technologists and technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Chemical manufacturing | $61,740 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 61,010 |
| Computer and electronic product manufacturing | 60,360 |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 60,220 |
| Machinery manufacturing | 59,970 |
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians usually work standard schedules. Most work full time.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31
Employment of industrial engineering technologists and technicians is projected to grow 3 percent from 2021 to 2031, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 6,600 openings for industrial engineering technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
An emphasis on cost control through increased efficiency, along with industrial engineering technologists and technicians' role in assisting with automation, is expected to sustain demand for these workers.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians |
17-3026 | 64,200 | 66,300 | 3 | 2,100 | Get data | |
For more information about industrial engineering, visit
Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers
For more information about manufacturing engineering, visit
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
For information on general engineering education and career resources, visit
American Society for Engineering Education
For more information about accredited programs, visit