Industrial Engineering
Quick Facts: Industrial Engineering Training
Where it's offered
Industrial Engineering programs are offered at 1 schools across 1 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $76,033/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Industrial Engineering — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 1 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 54/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Industrial Engineering Graduates Do
Your career begins on the floor of a factory, distribution center, or even a hospital, tasked with making complex systems work better. As an industrial engineer, you'll use computer-aided design (CAD), statistical software, and on-the-ground observation to analyze workflows, eliminate waste, and design safer, more efficient processes. You might redesign a manufacturing cell or map out a new inventory system. With experience, you can advance to an industrial production manager role, where your focus shifts from designing processes to leading them. You’ll manage staff, coordinate with suppliers, and ensure the entire operation hits its quality and output targets.
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This field offers a clear path to high earnings and leadership. The core role of an industrial engineer is growing much faster than average, providing strong job security as you start your career. While you’ll begin with a solid six-figure salary, experienced engineers who move into management can earn well over $160,000. AI tools may help simulate new layouts or analyze data, but they can’t replace the hands-on work. The crucial tasks of observing physical operations, collaborating with teams, and implementing changes on the ground will continue to demand your human expertise.
Closely-related paths include Biomedical Engineering, Engineering Science, and Nuclear Engineering, which share overlapping job markets and training components.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Industrial Engineering. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Logistics Engineer
RAPIDS 632 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $82K – $101,140 – $127K | 11.0% |
|
Wine Maker (Vinous Liquor)
RAPIDS 34 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $95K – $121,440 – $156K | 1.9% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Industrial Engineering Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Industrial Engineering is offered at 1 schools across 1 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top Industrial Engineering Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Industrial Engineering programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
1 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY |
66 62–68 |
Highest Earning Industrial Engineering Programs
Schools where Industrial Engineering graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | $76,033/yr | 66 |
Best ROI for Industrial Engineering
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Industrial Engineering.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | 56.5x | $76,033/yr | 66 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Industrial Engineering degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.