Civil Engineers 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 $1,550 more per year than Civil Engineers professionals — that's 1.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$65,920$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $70,000 | $-4,080 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $81,910 | $-3,120 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $101,140 | $-1,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $127,480 | +$810 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $157,140 | +$3,850 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $107,900 | $-850 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
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: Civil Engineers or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,550 (1.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
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 Civil Engineers and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 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