Industrial Engineer salary in North Carolina
Industrial Engineers in North Carolina earn a median of $99,310 a year ($47.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,110 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $102,440. North Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for industrial engineers pay. There are 2.3 industrial engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for industrial engineers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,930 | $33.14 |
| 25th percentile | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Median | $99,310 | $47.74 |
| 75th percentile | $121,090 | $58.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,110 | $66.88 |
| Average (mean) | $102,890 | $49.46 |
Half of industrial engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,275.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,137.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,819.62 |
| Weekly | $1,909.81 |
| Hourly | $47.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Industrial Engineer salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $104,030 | 1,710 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $102,890 | 1,150 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $102,090 | 2,680 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $101,500 | 1,060 |
| Asheville, NC | $100,490 | 500 |
| Wilmington, NC | $99,540 | 360 |
| Greenville, NC | $98,880 | 280 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $97,760 | 750 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $97,220 | 50 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $95,930 | 1,050 |
| Burlington, NC | $95,870 | 190 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $92,840 | 380 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $92,080 | 160 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $87,170 | 30 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $86,640 | 670 |
Highest-paying states for industrial engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $156,510 |
| Washington | $129,050 |
| Oregon | $128,290 |
| New Mexico | $128,090 |
| California | $124,600 |
| Hawaii | $123,800 |
| Louisiana | $122,920 |
| Wyoming | $122,070 |
| Delaware | $120,190 |
| Maryland | $119,930 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,720 | $48.42 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,130 | $52.95 |
| Engineers, All Other | $112,450 | $54.06 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $134,670 | $64.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $94,790 | $45.57 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,240 | $50.11 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $106,800 | $51.34 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $131,850 | $63.39 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,410 | $56.45 |
| Environmental Engineer | $99,440 | $47.81 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $70,310 | $33.80 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2112. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a industrial engineer make in North Carolina?
The median salary for industrial engineers in North Carolina is $99,310 a year, or $47.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid industrial engineers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of industrial engineers in North Carolina earn at least $139,110 a year. The top 25% earn $121,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for industrial engineers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,930 a year, and a quarter of industrial engineers earn $81,190 or less.
How many industrial engineers work in North Carolina?
About 11,580 industrial engineers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.