There are currently an estimated 257,899 industrial engineers in the United States. The industrial engineer job market is expected to grow by 9.7% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are industrial engineers?
CareerExplorer rates industrial engineers with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 29,201 industrial engineers. That number is based on 25,101 additional industrial engineers, and the retirement of 4,100 existing industrial engineers.
Are industrial engineers in demand?
Demand and job growth for industrial engineers is projected to be sluggish at best, largely because the manufacturing industries which employ most of them continue to either decline or grow very slowly. However, because they are not as specialized as other engineers, industrial engineers are able to widely apply their expertise in devising efficient systems, raising productivity, and reducing internal costs. This versatility ensures that they are able to find opportunities outside of manufacturing, in consulting and engineering services; research and development firms; wholesale trade; government; and in the non-profit sector. Because their work is similar to what is done in many management jobs, it is not uncommon for industrial engineers to leave the occupation for managerial positions. In turn, some jobs may be created by the need to replace these engineers who leave the field. Not surprisingly, due to their diverse deployment across multiple business sectors, continuing education is imperative for industrial engineers. Companies rely on them to be knowledgeable in the latest technologies to provide them with the best solutions and the greatest value. Job candidates who fail to remain current will be at a distinct disadvantage. Some experienced engineers in this field choose to become experts in one industry or in one phase of industrial engineering. Increasingly, some are starting their own consulting firms.
What’s the supply of industrial engineers?
The industrial engineer industry is concentrated in Michigan, California, Texas
Industrial Engineer job market by state
| State Name | Employed Industrial Engineers |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 28,460 |
| California | 24,040 |
| Texas | 16,700 |
| Ohio | 15,230 |
| Illinois | 11,590 |
| New York | 11,150 |
| Indiana | 10,180 |
| Florida | 10,180 |
| Pennsylvania | 9,280 |
| Massachusetts | 9,130 |
| North Carolina | 9,080 |
| Minnesota | 8,970 |
| Wisconsin | 8,330 |
| South Carolina | 6,900 |
| Washington | 6,870 |
| Georgia | 6,440 |
| Tennessee | 5,540 |
| Alabama | 5,510 |
| Connecticut | 5,200 |
| Kentucky | 5,150 |
| Missouri | 5,010 |
| New Jersey | 4,430 |
| Virginia | 4,130 |
| Arizona | 4,120 |
| Oregon | 3,880 |
| Colorado | 3,630 |
| Puerto Rico | 3,170 |
| Maryland | 3,150 |
| Kansas | 2,470 |
| Iowa | 2,440 |
| Utah | 2,010 |
| Arkansas | 1,800 |
| Mississippi | 1,760 |
| Louisiana | 1,760 |
| New Hampshire | 1,600 |
| Oklahoma | 1,420 |
| Nebraska | 1,280 |
| Idaho | 900 |
| Maine | 800 |
| New Mexico | 760 |
| Rhode Island | 690 |
| Vermont | 550 |
| West Virginia | 500 |
| South Dakota | 480 |
| Delaware | 470 |
| Nevada | 450 |
| North Dakota | 310 |
| Montana | 230 |
| District of Columbia | 220 |
| Wyoming | 170 |
| Alaska | 80 |
| Hawaii | 80 |