General and Operations Managers vs Industrial Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
General and Operations Managers professionals earn $1,810 more per year than Industrial Engineers professionals — that's 1.8% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
General and Operations Managers$47,420 – N/A
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$47,420$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | General and Operations Managers | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $47,420 | $70,000 | $-22,580 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,160 | $81,910 | $-14,750 |
| Median (50th) | $102,950 | $101,140 | +$1,810 |
| 75th Percentile | $164,130 | $127,480 | +$36,650 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $157,140 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $133,120 | $107,900 | +$25,220 |
Employment Numbers
General and Operations Managers
3,584,420
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for General and Operations Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $162,480 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $152,090 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $151,420 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $149,260 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $141,280 |
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: General and Operations Managers or Industrial Engineers?
General and Operations Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,810 (1.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for General and Operations Managers?
General and Operations Managers salaries range from $47,420 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $102,950.
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 General and Operations Managers and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,584,420 General and Operations Managers positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to General and Operations Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. General and Operations Managers has a median salary of $102,950 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