Architecture & Engineering
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Also called: Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech), Industrial Engineering Analyst, Industrial Engineering Technician (Industrial Engineering Tech), Industrial Technician (Industrial Tech)
US median pay
$66,120
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.1%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
6,600
76,700 employed
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- Adhere to all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures for health, safety, and environmental compliance.
- Oversee or inspect production processes.
- Identify opportunities for improvements in quality, cost, or efficiency of automation equipment.
- Develop or implement programs to address problems related to production, materials, safety, or quality.
- Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
- Create or interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, formulas, or blueprints for management or engineering staff.
- Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
- Recommend corrective or preventive actions to assure or improve product quality or reliability.
- Read worker logs, product processing sheets, or specification sheets to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.
- Verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards by observing worker performance.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Systems Evaluation3.4/5
- Systems Analysis3.4/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Technology Design3.1/5
- Operations Analysis3.1/5
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology4.3/5
- Production and Processing4.1/5
- Design4.0/5
- Mechanical3.9/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Computers and Electronics3.8/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Associate's degree.
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.