Industrial Engineers vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $7,540 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 8.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$66,030$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $66,030 | +$3,970 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $78,610 | +$3,300 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $93,600 | +$7,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $107,960 | +$19,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $135,320 | +$21,820 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $98,430 | +$9,470 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Industrial Engineers or Registered Nurses?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $7,540 (8.1% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Industrial Engineers and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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