There is a wide range of industrial engineering careers that offer different salary ranges for each. There are industrial engineers who have completed a certificate programs and they work in a factory or plant setting. There are industrial engineers who have completed their master's or doctorate degree, and these positions or career choices pay a higher amount. Many industrial engineers make a great living. As with any career, the salary is higher for those who have worked for a longer period of time. The time frame that a person has worked will reflect the industrial engineering salary that they make.

The median salary for an industrial engineer that works in production facilities is $67,408 as of September 2011. This is an average yearly industrial engineering salary for those who manage the layout for a production plan such as a manufacturing company. This job typically requires a minimum of a bachelor degree. In this position the industrial engineer is typically responsible for ensuring that the workplace remains safe, effective and the maximum amount of output is being used. Most companies like to maximize their profits while minimizing their risk. This position assists companies in analyzing the company layout to produce an efficient manufacturing plant.

The median starting industrial engineering salary for someone who is new to the industry but has obtained their bachelor's degree is $54,444 annually. This number represents the entire industry for large and small companies. Many companies do require between 2-5 years of experience, and the training is extensive. Most of the industrial engineers who are just getting started in their career would fall in this category, although this represents the median salary. There are many areas that offer a higher salary, depending on the cost of living in the area that the industrial engineer is working in.

Those who have a degree that is at a graduate level, or many years of experience can earn up to $82,237 per year as of September 2011. There are many companies that offer a much higher salary level for those who are in advanced industrial engineering. This figure represents the national average for an industrial engineer salary. There are also some areas that pay lower if the cost of living in that particular area is a lower amount. Experience plays a large role in the amount of salary that most people in this industry make.

There are many types of positions that can make a higher salary or a lower salary depending upon the specialty that has been pursued. An Industrial engineering salary is typically considered to be a high paying salary when compared with other industries in the marketplace. This industrial engineering career path can prove to be a lucrative career path. The amount of schooling one receives as well as the experience level that each person has plays a large role in determining the salary of the person. There are a wide range of positions within this industry, and they range from blue collar jobs to white collar careers.