Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between industrial engineers and software engineers 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 a software engineer. Additionally, a software engineer has an average salary of $100,260, which is higher than the $76,501 average annual salary of an industrial engineer.
The top three skills for an industrial engineer include continuous improvement, lean manufacturing and sigma. The most important skills for a software engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Industrial Engineer | Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,501 | $100,260 |
| Hourly rate | $36.78 | $48.20 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 46,756 | 339,938 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| 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.
A software engineer is a computer science professional who is responsible for the development of information systems, designing and building computer systems software and applications software. They often prefer to call themselves as a software developer or computer programmer. They have substantial knowledge of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and other technologies. They use these to turn a plan into a final output. They can create a design, test, and develop software based on the needs of their clients.
Industrial engineers and software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Industrial Engineer | Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,501 | $100,260 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $97,000 | Between $73,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between an industrial engineer and a software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Industrial Engineer | Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Industrial Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | New York University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between industrial engineers' and software engineers' demographics:
| Industrial Engineer | Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.2% Female, 19.8% | Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0% |
| 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, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 34.0% White, 48.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 8% |