Electricians 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 $38,790 more per year than Electricians professionals — that's 62.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electricians earns $106,030 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Electricians$39,430 – $106,030
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$39,430$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electricians | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,430 | $70,000 | $-30,570 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,820 | $81,910 | $-33,090 |
| Median (50th) | $62,350 | $101,140 | $-38,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,730 | $127,480 | $-45,750 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,030 | $157,140 | $-51,110 |
| Mean (Average) | $69,630 | $107,900 | $-38,270 |
Employment Numbers
Electricians
742,580
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electricians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $102,070 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $101,600 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $99,540 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $95,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $95,020 |
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: Electricians or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $38,790 (62.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electricians?
Electricians salaries range from $39,430 (10th percentile) to $106,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,350.
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 Electricians and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 742,580 Electricians positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Electricians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electricians has a median salary of $62,350 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