Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
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.
Also called: 3D Printing Tech (Three Dimensional Printing Technician), Additive Manufacturing Production Technician (Additive Manufacturing Production Tech), Additive Manufacturing Technician (Additive Manufacturing Tech), Analysis Tester, Boiler Water Tester, Cloth Tester
Median pay
$66,120
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$47,300 – $99,150
People employed
75,570
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 2.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 3.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians pay by state
Annual median pay by state (45 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary in every state →
What industrial engineering technologists and technicians do
- 01Adhere to all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures for health, safety, and environmental compliance.
- 02Calibrate or adjust equipment to ensure quality production, using tools such as calipers, micrometers, height gauges, protractors, or ring gauges.
- 03Oversee or inspect production processes.
- 04Identify opportunities for improvements in quality, cost, or efficiency of automation equipment.
- 05Develop or implement programs to address problems related to production, materials, safety, or quality.
- 06Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology
- Production and Processing
- Design
- Mechanical
- English Language
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from industrial engineering technologists and technicians
- Industrial Engineers84% · +55%
- Manufacturing Engineers84% · group pay
- Mechanical Engineers79% · +57%
- Materials Engineers78% · +71%
- Electrical Engineers78% · +82%
Change into industrial engineering technologists and technicians
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Manufacturing Engineers80% · $102,440
- Validation Engineers80% · $102,440
- Automotive Engineers78% · $104,110
- Mechatronics Engineers78% · $122,930
- Chemical Technicians75% · $60,390
Majors that lead here
- Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians
- Industrial Technology/Technician
- Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician
- Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Other
- Industrial Safety Technology/Technician
- Process Safety Technology/Technician
- Engineering/Industrial Management
- Packaging Science
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.