Industrial Engineering Career

industrial-engineer-tech-50Unlike many other branches of engineering, industrial engineers evaluate entire systems and processes focusing on the big picture. This allows them to use their training and analytical skills to make adjustments that increase productivity and decrease waste. Basically, the job of an industrial engineer is to achieve the desired result using the most efficient method.

Traditionally, industrial engineers worked in strictly the math and science world, redesigning machines and evaluating mechanical processes. Today, though, these positions are more business-oriented and exist in every industry from sales to education to healthcare.

Industrial Engineering Career Snapshot

While industrial engineers work in a variety of industries, they always have an office to analyze data and run computer simulations. They also spend time at the particular site under evaluation which varies depending on the project.

Further details on a career as an industrial engineer are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):

$83,470

is the average yearly salary for

1%

increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.

62%

have a Bachelor’s degree while 14% have a Post-secondary certificate.

Industrial Engineering Education

Industrial engineers need to complete a bachelor’s degree involving four years of rigorous study focusing on the mathematical and scientific fields. Some professionals choose to pursue graduate education in order to specialize or teach in the field. While a license is not required, after gaining work experience, industrial engineers pursuing self-employment often earn their professional engineering (PE) license after passing two exams.

Industrial Engineering Job Duties

Working either for a consulting engineering firm or directly for a private company in a different industry, industrial engineers first examine systems already in place on a job site and collect extensive data. They then analyze this data and run simulations to determine more efficient ways to complete the same tasks. Working with a team, they communicate their findings and recommendations to supervisors on the job site and help develop training methods. After implementing the plan, industrial engineers reevaluate the process to determine if the changes worked.

Industrial Engineering Salaries

With median salaries a little over $80,000 annually, earnings as an industrial engineer range between $53,300 in the bottom ten percent and top out with the highest ten percent earning $126,920 per year according to BLS.gov May 2015 data. Unless self-employed, these jobs sometimes come with perks like extra vacation days and family health insurance.

Industrial Engineering Job Outlook

Industrial engineering jobs most likely will hold steady until 2024 with neither much job creation or loss in the field according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Within the field, there likely will be some reorganization. For example, automation and outsourcing have decreased factory work, but the healthcare industry has experienced significant growth, so industrial engineers will likely shift from one specialty to the other.

Industrial Engineering Skills & Traits

Industrial Engineer Skill Set:Required Abilities:Tools Used by Industrial Engineers:Typical Work Activities:
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Complex Problem Solving
• Critical Thinking
• Writing
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Expression
• Audiometers
• Optical Benches
• Environmental Ovens
• Recording Microphones
• Noise Dosimeters
• Getting Information
• Decision Making
• Identifying Objects,
Actions, Events
• Interacting with Computers
• Communicating with Others

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