Industrial Engineering Degree
Industrial engineers design, create and evaluate systems within production industries. They focus on increasing productivity for companies through advanced technology, managing employees and business organization. They develop manufacturing and information systems to maximize efficiency for a variety of industries.
These engineers design and implement management control systems that analyze costs and assist companies with financial planning. From plant location selection to actual manufacturing and distribution strategies, evaluating and improving physical aspects of an industry also fall under the industrial engineer’s job description. Systems for wages and benefits along with employee evaluation programs are often designed by industrial engineers.
Industrial engineers may be responsible for any of the following duties:
- Determine and create manufacturing sequences for efficient plant operation
- Work with other manufacturing professionals to develop a clear understanding of product specifications
- Examine production costs and expenditures to manage finances
- Use technology to create layouts for space management in offices and on the plant floor
- Establish and implement quality control goals and procedures
- Communicate and work cooperatively with various managers
- Utilize statistics and mathematical formulas to determine better strategies for making all processes and procedures more efficient and cost effective
- Recommend changes in staffing, wages and scheduling for utilizing employee resources most efficiently.
Industrial Engineer Degrees
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics or science is required for most entry level positions in this field. It is not uncommon for industrial engineers to hold a graduate degree and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those engineers earn a significantly higher salary than their counterparts with a bachelor’s degree.
While most states don’t require certification for industrial engineers, professional certificates offered by a number of engineering organizations can be helpful for advancement or greater income opportunities.
Industrial Engineer Salary*
The BLS reports that while engineering is expected to grow at an average rate, the industrial engineering field is anticipated to grow at a faster than average rate. Depending on education and experience, the annual salary of an industrial engineer ranges from $47,720 to $107,270 with a median salary of $73,820.
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
