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Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians vs. Industrial Engineers: Who Earns More?

Industrial Engineers out-earn Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians by $43K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians land at $59,920 and Industrial Engineers at $102,440. The education gap is real: environmental engineering technologists and technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while industrial engineer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians is Washington ($100,050); for Industrial Engineers it's Alaska ($156,510).

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Industrial Engineers
Median salary
$59,920
$102,440
Hourly rate
$28.81/hr
$49.25/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$39,910
$74,370
Senior level (90th %)
$96,660
$159,860
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
12,190
365,740
Job growth (10-year)
1.2%
11%
Category
Engineering
Engineering
Top-paying state
Washington
Alaska

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians median pay.

State
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Industrial Engineers
Washington
$100,050
$129,050
Oregon
$80,770
$128,290
Alaska
$77,860
$156,510
Maryland
$67,510
$119,930
Massachusetts
$66,860
$109,420
Arizona
$65,420
$108,280
New Mexico
$61,170
$128,090
Louisiana
$60,840
$122,920
Colorado
$60,740
$109,750
Utah
$60,410
$103,940
California
$60,010
$124,600
Montana
$58,870
$104,430
Texas
$57,150
$104,560
Hawaii
$51,810
$123,800
West Virginia
$47,650
$108,360

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians or Industrial Engineers?

Industrial Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $59,920 for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians versus $102,440 for Industrial Engineers, a difference of $43K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians or Industrial Engineers?

Industrial Engineers has the better 10-year outlook at 11% projected growth, compared to 1.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians or Industrial Engineers?

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Industrial Engineers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians at $100,050/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians vs. Industrial Engineers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn $100,050 vs. $129,050 for Industrial Engineers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Industrial Engineers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Industrial Engineers by take-home payExplore →How to become a environmental engineering technologists and techniciansGuide →How to become a industrial engineersGuide →