What is Industrial Engineering?

Industrial engineers exist to make your job easier. Their primary tasks generally involve streamlining the workflow of an organization, or helping improve production systems. While many of these engineers work in the manufacturing industry, industrial engineering can be used in a variety of ways, such as increasing efficiency in a surgeon's ER or creating job evaluation programs.

Words from Real World Industrial Engineers

Many organizations employ individuals or use industrial engineering consulting firms to improve productivity and quality. At GM, industrial engineer David Cahaya describes his job as finding the most efficient ways to produce new car concepts. Cahaya says that his mission is "to figure out a way to build a concept vehicle, and then make it possible to produce enough of it with the highest quality and as little cost as possible."

Another industrial engineer at GM, Amber Kuron, helps to design parts that are easier and less expensive to install than the current ones. Kuron works with people in different GM manufacturing facilities around the world to come up with the best solutions. Industrial engineering isn't just about good math and science skills; it's also about learning how to work with people in different departments, organizations and industries.

Industrial Engineering Facts

How big a field is industrial engineering? Out of the 1.4 million engineers in the U.S., industrial engineers rank third in total number of jobs with 177,000. The highest percentage of industrial engineering jobs are focused in machinery manufacturing (7.8%) and motor vehicle parts manufacturing (7.1%).

The Importance of a College Degree Program for Industrial Engineering

A college degree program is crucial to an industrial engineering career. GM's Kuron says that a bachelor's degree is important in industrial engineering for you "to have the most career options." Finishing a bachelor's degree program can help an industrial engineer net about $49,500 a year, and with a college master's degree under your belt, that annual average rises to $56,500 a year. If you're really dedicated to your education, successfully completing a doctoral degree program in industrial engineering gives your career an even bigger boost, with an average annual salary of around $85,000 a year.

With a college degree in hand, you could enjoy a rewarding career in industrial engineering.

Sources

• Engineers, Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Meet Two Industrial Engineers, GM

About the Author
James Tolles is a freelance writer and holds two B.A. degrees, one in Creative Writing and the other in History.