How to Become an Industrial Engineer?
Are you thinking of becoming an Industrial Engineer or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become an Industrial Engineer, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Industrial Engineer job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become an Industrial Engineer
If you're considering starting your Industrial Engineer career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Industrial Engineer and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Industrial Engineer career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Industrial Engineer career path, a Bachelor's Degree in industrial engineering or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. An Industrial Engineer internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become an Industrial Engineer?
88% of people working as an Industrial Engineer earned a Bachelor's Degree
What skills do you need to be an Industrial Engineer?
- MS Office Applications
- AutoCAD
- English Language
- Lean Six Sigma
- BS Degree
- Interface
- Problem Solving
- ERP System
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Industrial Engineer, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Industrial Engineer field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Industrial Engineer specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as an Industrial Engineer
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in industrial engineering or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Industrial Engineer. In general, you can become an Industrial Engineer after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Industrial Engineer role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified in modapts, certified industrial hygienist.4
Advance in Your Industrial Engineer Career
Following entry-level, there are several Industrial Engineer career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Industrial Engineer to progress to the senior industrial engineer position. Each advanced Industrial Engineer position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Industrial Engineer career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Industrial Engineer career path.5
Continued Education for Your Industrial Engineer Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Industrial Engineer career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in industrial engineering can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $125,276 compared to $58,495 for those without that type of degree.Industrial Engineer Career Path
Industrial Engineer
2 - 4Years of Experience
$73K - $101K /yrMost Likely Range
36% advanced to
Senior Industrial Engineer
2 - 4Years of Experience
$102K - $144K /yrMost Likely Range
12% advanced to
Senior Manager of Industrial Engineering
No Years of Experience Reports
$147K - $228K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
Industrial Engineer Career Path
Summer Intern Industrial Engineer
Industrial Engineer
Senior Industrial Engineer
Industrial Engineer Manager
Senior Manager of Industrial Engineering
Principal Industrial Engineer
Director of Industrial Engineering
Chief Industrial Engineer
$60K
$102K
$144K
$186K
$270K
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Related Careers in the Engineering Industry
Interested in other Engineering careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Industrial Engineer skills. Discover some of the most common Industrial Engineer career transitions, along with skills overlap.