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Industrial Engineering Director Salary in the United States

How much does an Industrial Engineering Director make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Industrial Engineering Director in the United States is $163,541 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

However, an Industrial Engineering Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $209,556
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $154,930 to $187,627
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $147,090
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Industrial Engineering Director Salaries

An Industrial Engineering Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Industrial Engineering Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Industrial Engineering Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Industrial Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,327
  • Industrial Engineer V (7-10 years): $147,599
  • Industrial Engineering Manager (10+ years): $131,958
  • Industrial Engineering Senior Manager (10+ years): $156,816
  • Industrial Engineering Director (10+ years): $163,541
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Industrial Engineer IV7+ years$125,327
Industrial Engineer V7-10 years$147,599
Industrial Engineering Manager10+ years$131,958
Industrial Engineering Senior Manager10+ years$156,816
Industrial Engineering Director10+ years$163,541
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How Do Industrial Engineering Directors Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Industrial Engineering Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $181,073.
  • California: $180,386.
  • Massachusetts: $177,982.

Top Paying Cities for Industrial Engineering Director

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $206,274
  • San Francisco: $204,016
  • Oakland: $199,716

Industrial Engineering Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Industrial Engineering Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $183,075. While startup companies pay approximate $154,877.

Industrial Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $154,877
Growth Stage 51~500 $163,801
Established 501~5000 $176,791
Enterprise 5000+ $183,075

Industrial Engineering Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Industrial Engineering Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 85% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Industrial Engineering Director positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Industrial Engineering Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Industrial Engineering Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$228,957$110.040%
Biotechnology$204,426$98.025%
Energy & Utilities$196,249$94.020%
Software & Networking$196,249$94.020%
Financial Services$188,072$90.015%

Industrial Engineering Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Industrial Engineering Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$154,930
Average $163,541/year
$187,627
$12,911
Average $13,628/month
$15,636
$2,979
Average $3,145/week
$3,608
$74
Average $79/hour
$90
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $187,627 $15,636 $3,608 $90
Average $163,541 $13,628 $3,145 $79
25th Percentile $154,930 $12,911 $2,979 $74

Most common benefits for Industrial Engineering Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Industrial Engineering Director

Here are companies hiring for Industrial Engineering Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Industrial Engineering Director

1. Where can an Industrial Engineering Director earn the most?

An Industrial Engineering Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Industrial Engineering Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Industrial Engineering Director is $206,274.

2. What is the highest pay for Industrial Engineering Director?

The highest pay for Industrial Engineering Director is $209,556.

3. What is the lowest pay for Industrial Engineering Director?

The lowest pay for Industrial Engineering Director is $147,090.

4. What are the responsibilities of Industrial Engineering Director?

Directs the design of industrial equipment and machine layouts to optimize production activities, minimize costs, and ensure products meet quality standards. Collaborates with senior leaders to plan facility modifications and process changes and ensure alignment with business objectives. Reviews and improves manufacturing routes for maximizing space, efficiency, and effectiveness, ensuring full utilization of resources. Develops policies and procedures to ensure compliance with industry safety standards and design guidelines. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Industrial Engineering Director?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Industrial Engineering Director roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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