Industrial Engineers vs Natural Sciences Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn $60,040 more per year than Industrial Engineers professionals — that's 59.4% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Natural Sciences Managers$79,830 – N/A
$70,000$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Natural Sciences Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $79,830 | $-9,830 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $114,110 | $-32,200 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $161,180 | $-60,040 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $214,820 | $-87,340 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $173,500 | $-65,600 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Natural Sciences Managers
100,870
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 Natural Sciences Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $222,840 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $221,480 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $219,380 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $208,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $199,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Industrial Engineers or Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $60,040 (59.4% 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 Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers salaries range from $79,830 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,180.
How many Industrial Engineers and Natural Sciences Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions and 100,870 Natural Sciences Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Natural Sciences Managers to Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 while Natural Sciences Managers earns $161,180. 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