Industrial Engineers vs Medical Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $56,940 more per year than Medical Assistants professionals — that's 128.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $57,830 for Medical Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$35,020$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Medical Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $35,020 | +$34,980 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $37,610 | +$44,300 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $44,200 | +$56,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $48,160 | +$79,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $57,830 | +$99,310 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $44,720 | +$63,180 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Medical Assistants
793,460
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Industrial Engineers or Medical Assistants?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $56,940 (128.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Industrial Engineers and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants to Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 while Medical Assistants earns $44,200. 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