How much does an industrial tech make?
a year · about $32 an hour
A typical industrial tech in the United States makes $66,120 a year, about $32 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They watch people and machines on a factory floor, recording work steps, times, and production details. Then they turn their observations into charts or workflow plans and discuss improvements with engineers.
Did you know? Some industrial techs time each step workers take—like stopwatch detectives—to help figure out a sensible speed for production.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $47,300 and $99,150How do you become one?
In the US, take math, science, and drafting in high school, then earn an associate degree in industrial engineering technology or a postsecondary certificate at a community or technical school. Many enter after high school, around age 18 or older; related work experience and a license are generally not required.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the US, experience, extra education or useful credentials, and specialized or more complex tasks can affect pay. The employer or industry, location, and overtime or shift premiums matter too; fame usually is not a factor in this behind-the-scenes job.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Oklahoma ($79,330), lowest in Tennessee ($58,070).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $47,300 | $66,120 | $99,150 | about 76,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $79,330 | about 750 |
| California | $79,070 | about 6,000 |
| Washington | $78,430 | about 1,000 |
| Oregon | $75,760 | about 910 |
| New Jersey | $72,890 | about 920 |
Official definition: Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/OOH/architecture-and-engineering/industrial-engineering-technicians.
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-3026.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/earnings.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.wes.org/resource-library/blog/career-pathway/industrial-engineering-technici
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY