Engineering and architecture
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians
Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.
Median pay
$66,120
Growth to 2035
+3%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
6,600
Time to qualify*
2 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to industrial engineering technologists and technicians
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians: 43% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Adhere to all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures for health, safety, and environmental compliance.
- Oversee or inspect production processes.
- Identify opportunities for improvements in quality, cost, or efficiency of automation equipment.
- Develop or implement programs to address problems related to production, materials, safety, or quality.
- Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
- Create or interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, formulas, or blueprints for management or engineering staff.
- Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
- Recommend corrective or preventive actions to assure or improve product quality or reliability.
Also called: Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech) · Industrial Engineering Analyst · Industrial Engineering Technician (Industrial Engineering Tech) · Industrial Technician (Industrial Tech) · Manufacturing Coordinator · PLC Tech (Programmable Logic Controller Technician) · QC Engineering Technician (Quality Control Engineering Technician) · Quality Management Coordinator
Outlook and AI
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians held 76,700 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 79,000 by 2035 (+3%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Industrial engineering technologists and technicians vs. Industrial engineer
- Industrial engineering technologists and technicians vs. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- Industrial engineering technologists and technicians vs. Calibration technologists and technicians
- Industrial engineering technologists and technicians vs. Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
- Industrial engineering technologists and technicians vs. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians
- Industrial engineering technologists and technicians vs. Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians