Industrial Engineer Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Industrial Engineers in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$99,310
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $102,440
State Rank
#39 of 51
11,580 employed here

How much does an Industrial Engineer make in North Carolina?

Industrial Engineers in North Carolina take home a median of $99,310 annually — roughly $47.75 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $102,440.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $68,930 while the top 10% make $139,110 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,190 and $121,090 a year.

Industrial Engineer salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$68,930$33.14
25th percentile (early career)$81,190$39.03
50th percentile (median)$99,310$47.75
75th percentile (experienced)$121,090$58.22
90th percentile (top earners)$139,110$66.88

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories for Industrial Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Alaska$156,510
2Washington$129,050
3Oregon$128,290
4New Mexico$128,090
5California$124,600

Working as an Industrial Engineer in North Carolina

Nationally, about 366,000 people work as Industrial Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($99,310) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Industrial Engineer make in North Carolina?
The median Industrial Engineer salary in North Carolina is $99,310 per year, or about $47.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $68,930 at the entry level to $139,110 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Industrial Engineers about 3% less than the national median of $102,440. North Carolina ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Industrial Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $99,310 a year. About 11,580 Industrial Engineers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Industrial Engineer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.