The following information is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Industrial Engineering Technicians. Please visit the website for a more comprehensive breakdown of the data.
LINKS TO INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORY PAGES
WHAT INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS DO
Industrial engineering technicians assist industrial engineers in devising efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service. They prepare machinery and equipment layouts, plan workflows, conduct statistical production studies, and analyze production costs.
Job Duties
PAY
National Average Annual Pay (2019): $59,400
Top 5 States
1. Alaska
$89,780
2. New Mexico
$80,790
3. Louisiana
$76,990
4. Maryland
$73,530
5. Oklahoma
$66,700
Bottom 5 States
50. South Dakota
$41,930
49. Arkansas
$45,780
48. Indiana
$48,280
47. Nevada
$48,700
46. Mississippi
$48,930
STEPS TO BECOME AN INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN
The first step to become an industrial engineering technician is to attend a post-secondary program. Community colleges and technical institutes generally offer associate’s degree programs, and vocational–technical schools offer certificate programs.
ABET accredits engineering and engineering technology programs.
After graduating from a program, technicians are qualified to find a job as an industrial engineering technician.
1. Attend an Industrial Engineering Technician Program
2. Find a Job as an Industrial Engineering Technician
QUALITIES OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS
Detail Oriented
Industrial engineering technicians must gather and record measurements and observations needed by industrial engineers.
Communication Skills
Industrial engineering technicians receive instructions from industrial engineers. They must clearly understand and follow instructions and communicate problems to their supervisors.
Math Skills
Industrial engineering technicians use the principles of mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.
Analytical Skills
Industrial engineering technicians must help industrial engineers figure out how systems should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Observational Skills
These technicians spend much of their time evaluating the performance of other people or organizations and then make suggestions for improvements or corrective action. They must gather and record information without interfering with workers in their environments.
Critical Thinking
Industrial engineering technicians must help industrial engineers figure out why certain processes or operations are not working as well as they might. They must ask the right questions to identify and correct weaknesses.