Accountants and Auditors vs Industrial Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $19,460 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 23.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$52,780$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $70,000 | $-17,220 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $81,910 | $-17,250 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $101,140 | $-19,460 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $127,480 | $-21,030 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $157,140 | $-15,720 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $107,900 | $-14,380 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Industrial Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $139,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,310 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $19,460 (23.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Industrial Engineers earns $101,140. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS