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Salary comparison

Surveyors vs. Industrial Engineers: Who Earns More?

Industrial Engineerss out-earn Surveyorss by $27K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Surveyorss land at $75,440 and Industrial Engineerss at $102,440. The education gap is real: surveyor programs typically require bachelor's degree, while industrial engineer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Surveyorss is California ($105,330); for Industrial Engineerss it's Alaska ($156,510).

Surveyors
Industrial Engineers
Median salary
$75,440
$102,440
Hourly rate
$36.27/hr
$49.25/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$46,880
$74,370
Senior level (90th %)
$125,590
$159,860
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
50,830
365,740
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Engineering
Engineering
Top-paying state
California
Alaska

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Surveyors median pay.

State
Surveyors
Industrial Engineers
California
$105,330
$124,600
Alaska
$99,550
$156,510
Oregon
$97,070
$128,290
Massachusetts
$94,590
$109,420
Washington
$85,610
$129,050
Delaware
$82,890
$120,190
Hawaii
$82,200
$123,800
Wyoming
$81,250
$122,070
Colorado
$79,310
$109,750
Arizona
$77,490
$108,280
New Mexico
$74,230
$128,090
Maryland
$64,910
$119,930
Louisiana
$63,140
$122,920
Rhode Island
$62,670
$109,350
West Virginia
$61,520
$108,360

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Surveyorss or Industrial Engineerss?

Industrial Engineerss earn more nationally. The median is $75,440 for Surveyorss versus $102,440 for Industrial Engineerss, a difference of $27K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Surveyors or Industrial Engineers?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Surveyors or Industrial Engineers?

Surveyors typically requires bachelor's degree. Industrial Engineers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Surveyorss get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Surveyorss at $105,330/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Surveyors vs. Industrial Engineers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Surveyorss earn $105,330 vs. $124,600 for Industrial Engineerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Surveyors salary breakdownView →Full Industrial Engineers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Surveyorss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Industrial Engineerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a surveyorsGuide →How to become a industrial engineersGuide →