Industrial Engineers
Also called: Engineer, Industrial Engineer, Process Engineer, Project EngineerDesign, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 18 of its 20 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 12.4% by 2035. In the most exposed occupations, the squeeze shows up first among early-career workers. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
BLS figures cover the broader occupation “Industrial engineers”, which includes this one and others.
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 1.4% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Industrial engineers, including health and safety”
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 5.4 hires for every 10 job openings in durable goods manufacturing, which employs about 53% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.5.4 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $99,880 | $80,920 to $122,640 | 7,650 |
| Alaska | $156,510 | $117,120 to $186,790 | 220 |
| Arizona | $108,280 | $89,320 to $135,150 | 7,520 |
| Arkansas | $98,410 | $79,620 to $120,680 | 1,710 |
| California | $124,600 | $98,380 to $154,190 | 32,680 |
| Colorado | $109,750 | $95,160 to $133,290 | 5,200 |
| Connecticut | $104,160 | $88,000 to $128,120 | 6,020 |
| Delaware | $120,190 | $100,770 to $143,000 | 820 |
| District of Columbia | $103,300 | $89,990 to $122,760 | 160 |
| Florida | $101,610 | $81,480 to $127,650 | 14,050 |
| Georgia | $100,100 | $82,140 to $123,670 | 8,940 |
| Hawaii | $123,800 | $97,190 to $155,770 | 50 |
| Idaho | $100,840 | $81,420 to $129,580 | 1,330 |
| Illinois | $100,540 | $81,710 to $125,210 | 18,640 |
| Indiana | $97,480 | $79,880 to $114,040 | 11,680 |
| Iowa | $97,690 | $79,680 to $111,060 | 3,600 |
| Kansas | $99,830 | $80,090 to $122,190 | 3,450 |
| Kentucky | $96,820 | $79,390 to $116,150 | 6,070 |
| Louisiana | $122,920 | $97,520 to $154,320 | 1,710 |
| Maine | $101,030 | $86,270 to $129,990 | 1,030 |
| Maryland | $119,930 | $98,870 to $153,340 | 3,900 |
| Massachusetts | $109,420 | $96,100 to $132,260 | 11,470 |
| Michigan | $101,680 | $82,850 to $127,330 | 30,990 |
| Minnesota | $102,660 | $85,130 to $129,640 | 17,580 |
| Mississippi | $95,830 | $78,200 to $106,260 | 2,450 |
| Missouri | $99,290 | $80,050 to $124,340 | 5,070 |
| Montana | $104,430 | $84,300 to $139,420 | 390 |
| Nebraska | $98,170 | $79,800 to $116,240 | 1,160 |
| Nevada | $102,090 | $82,570 to $119,700 | 1,570 |
| New Hampshire | $101,310 | $86,020 to $128,280 | 1,940 |
| New Jersey | $103,840 | $90,480 to $130,260 | 6,870 |
| New Mexico | $128,090 | $96,810 to $160,240 | 1,140 |
| New York | $102,640 | $84,700 to $128,230 | 11,810 |
| North Carolina | $99,310 | $81,190 to $121,090 | 11,580 |
| North Dakota | $96,940 | $78,890 to $106,220 | 600 |
| Ohio | $100,060 | $81,350 to $123,900 | 23,480 |
| Oklahoma | $97,510 | $78,250 to $121,020 | 2,170 |
| Oregon | $128,290 | $100,850 to $165,780 | 5,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $99,560 | $80,510 to $125,190 | 13,180 |
| Puerto Rico | $81,820 | $65,040 to $103,130 | 2,750 |
| Rhode Island | $109,350 | $94,830 to $130,710 | 990 |
| South Carolina | $101,060 | $82,460 to $123,490 | 7,960 |
| South Dakota | $93,200 | $79,340 to $109,870 | 830 |
| Tennessee | $99,080 | $80,750 to $117,100 | 7,440 |
| Texas | $104,560 | $86,410 to $133,490 | 30,980 |
| Utah | $103,940 | $88,970 to $123,090 | 5,520 |
| Vermont | $103,010 | $86,060 to $123,530 | 440 |
| Virginia | $102,550 | $81,550 to $130,810 | 5,580 |
| Washington | $129,050 | $102,400 to $155,920 | 6,130 |
| West Virginia | $108,360 | $84,820 to $141,370 | 850 |
| Wisconsin | $96,980 | $79,410 to $111,130 | 13,070 |
| Wyoming | $122,070 | $93,160 to $142,500 | 240 |
Nationally: $102,440. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 18 of its 20 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AI alone | Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Confer with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, product and production specifications, manufacturing capabilities, or project status. | Not published |
| AI + software | Communicate with management and user personnel to develop production and design standards. | Not published |
| AI + software | Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control. | Not published |
| Not much | Recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities. | 0.01% |
| AI + software | Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product. | under 0.01% |
See all 20 tasks
| AI + software | Record or oversee recording of information to ensure currency of engineering drawings and documentation of production problems. | Not published |
| AI alone | Review production schedules, engineering specifications, orders, and related information to obtain knowledge of manufacturing methods, procedures, and activities. | Not published |
| AI + software | Evaluate precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan. | Not published |
| AI + software | Draft and design layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computer. | Not published |
| AI + software | Develop manufacturing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems to promote efficient staff and facility utilization. | Not published |
| AI alone | Complete production reports, purchase orders, and material, tool, and equipment lists. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Coordinate and implement quality control objectives, activities, or procedures to resolve production problems, maximize product reliability, or minimize costs. | Not published |
| AI + software | Direct workers engaged in product measurement, inspection, and testing activities to ensure quality control and reliability. | Not published |
| AI + software | Implement methods and procedures for disposition of discrepant material and defective or damaged parts, and assess cost and responsibility. | Not published |
| AI + software | Apply statistical methods and perform mathematical calculations to determine manufacturing processes, staff requirements, and production standards. | Not published |
| AI alone | Study operations sequence, material flow, functional statements, organization charts, and project information to determine worker functions and responsibilities. | Not published |
| AI alone | Formulate sampling procedures and designs and develop forms and instructions for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality and reliability data. | 0.01% |
| AI alone | Regulate and alter workflow schedules according to established manufacturing sequences and lead times to expedite production operations. | Not published |
| AI alone | Schedule deliveries based on production forecasts, material substitutions, storage and handling facilities, and maintenance requirements. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 5 of the 20 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 20 tasks fall under 18 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
- #14 Create visual designs or displays
- #17 Implement procedures or processes
- and 2 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluate designs, specifications, or other technical data | |||
| Read documents or materials to inform work processes | |||
| Communicate with others about specifications or project details | |||
| Document technical designs, procedures, or activities | |||
| Schedule operational activities | |||
| Create visual designs or displays | |||
| Implement procedures or processes | |||
| Determine operational methods or procedures |
Show all 18 activities
| Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications | |||
| Develop operational or technical procedures or standards | |||
| Advise others on business or operational matters | |||
| Prepare documentation for contracts, applications, or permits | |||
| Estimate project development or operational costs | |||
| Develop research plans or methodologies | |||
| Prepare reports of operational or procedural activities | |||
| Coordinate activities with clients, agencies, or organizations | |||
| Manage control systems or activities | |||
| Supervise personnel activities |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A document or report38%
- A plan or strategy11%
- Data or a spreadsheet9%
- Advice or a recommendation4%
- An explanation or answer4%
How they worked with Claude
61% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for industrial engineers specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 50,584 moves out
- 1 Engineers, All Other Very high +3.7% 13%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 8%
- 3 Industrial Production Managers High +2.6% 7%
- 4 Architectural and Engineering Managers High +5.5% 6%
- 5 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
Where people moved in from
of 56,634 moves in
- 1 Engineers, All Other Very high +3.7% 12%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 7%
- 3 Industrial Production Managers High +2.6% 6%
- 4 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 5 Architectural and Engineering Managers High +5.5% 4%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 8% high school
- 16% some college
- 3% associate's
- 59% bachelor's
- 4% post-bachelor's certificate
- 11% master's
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 29 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 1% less than high school
- 6% high school
- 9% some college
- 7% associate's
- 55% bachelor's
- 19% master's
- 1% professional degree
- 2% doctorate
Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Industrial engineers, including health and safety” · 3,243 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Industrial engineers, including health and safety”
5 programs, such as Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering.
See all
- Systems Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Engineering/Industrial Management
- Packaging Science
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
10.1% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a certification | 0.7% | 5.8% |
| an educational certificate | <0.5% | 2.8% |
| a license | not published |
Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 1 registered apprenticeship in this occupation (LOGISTICS ENGINEER). Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Industrial Engineers” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS · Brynjolfsson, Chandar and Chen, Stanford (Aug 2026)
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/17-2112.00