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The differences between industrial engineers and industrial designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an industrial engineer and an industrial designer. Additionally, an industrial engineer has an average salary of $76,501, which is higher than the $63,384 average annual salary of an industrial designer.
The top three skills for an industrial engineer include continuous improvement, lean manufacturing and sigma. The most important skills for an industrial designer are industrial design, solidworks, and CAD.
| Industrial Engineer | Industrial Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,501 | $63,384 |
| Hourly rate | $36.78 | $30.47 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 46,756 | 54,012 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 83% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An industrial engineer specializes in devising various systems to improve the workflow and the workforce in a manufacturing setting. One of their primary responsibilities is to understand all of the procedures in a manufacturing plant and develop strategies to resolve issues or improve production operations, such as designing a cost-efficient machine or system that will enhance the quality of goods and boost the productivity of workers. Moreover, it is also essential to adhere to all the company's policies and safety regulations to maintain a safe and productive work environment for all employees.
Industrial Designers work with clients to conceptualize product ideas. They collaborate with clients in creating product blueprints, samples, and mock-ups. Industrial Designers create drafts based on the clients' ideas, keeping in mind the different requirements as well as aesthetic qualities that the clients envision. They usually specialize in a specific product category such as toys, furniture, and cars, among others. Industrial Designers also collaborate with other professionals such as manufacturers, materials experts, safety experts, and other product makers to ensure the feasibility and the product safety of the concepts they come up with.
Industrial engineers and industrial designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Industrial Engineer | Industrial Designer | |
| Average salary | $76,501 | $63,384 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $97,000 | Between $43,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an industrial engineer and an industrial designer in terms of educational background:
| Industrial Engineer | Industrial Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 83% |
| Most common major | Industrial Engineering | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | New York University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between industrial engineers' and industrial designers' demographics:
| Industrial Engineer | Industrial Designer | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 12.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 1.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.3% Asian, 10.1% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 8% |