Salary guide, May 2025
Industrial Engineer pay in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Industrial Engineers in Raleigh-Cary, NC was $104,030 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $83,240 and $130,220.
The Raleigh-Cary, NC median is $1,590 above the national median of $102,440, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 17-2112 Industrial Engineers
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title.
What should you know about raleigh-Cary, NC?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $78,470 | $83,240 | $104,030 | $130,220 | $152,010 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37.73 | $40.02 | $50.01 | $62.61 | $73.08 |
BLS estimated 1,710 workers employed in this occupation in Raleigh-Cary, NC. Location quotient: 0.98.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $74,370 | $83,600 | $102,440 | $129,250 | $159,860 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35.76 | $40.19 | $49.25 | $62.14 | $76.85 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Industrial Engineer median is $104,030. The all-occupations median in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $51,990. Ratio: 2.00 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.98 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $81,240 | $101,880 | $126,310 |
| May 2025 | $83,240 | $104,030 | $130,220 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 17-2112 Industrial Engineers, Raleigh-Cary, NC. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 17-2112 Industrial Engineers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro, NC | $97,220 | $77,920 to $103,310 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $92,840 | $82,240 to $117,320 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
98. The current median annual wage is $104,030, which shows a positive medianChange of 2150 from the May 2024 median of $101,880. This growth reflects a steady adjustment in the market for these professional engineering roles within the broader metropolitan labor force.
Manufacturing Headhunters observes that in Raleigh-Cary, NC, Industrial Engineers (SOC 17-2112) represent an employment count of 1710 with a location quotient of 0.98. The current median annual wage is $104,030, which shows a positive medianChange of 2150 from the May 2024 median of $101,880. This growth reflects a steady adjustment in the market for these professional engineering roles within the broader metropolitan labor force.
The middle-band width for Raleigh is 46980, spanning from a P25 of $83,240 to a P75 of $130,220. The national median for this occupation is $102,440, meaning the local median is higher than the national standard. In the comparison metros, Goldsboro, NC, reports a median of $97,220, while Rocky Mount, NC, shows a median of $92,840. National industrial benchmarks of $127,140 for Petroleum and Coal Products and $118,700 for Chemical Manufacturing are helpful references for specialized engineering budgets.
It is necessary to account for the BLS reporting limits. The occupation data is aggregated across all sectors, not just manufacturing, and the wage figures exclude common industrial pay additions like bonuses or equity. The values do not measure individual employee experience levels or corporate hiring policies. Since this is an occupational study, it does not distinguish between plant engineering tasks like plant layout CAD design or labor standards and duties in other sectors. These figures serve as a broad market baseline rather than specific salary offers.
For manufacturing managers, it is clear that Raleigh maintains a competitive engineering wage structure. The positive median change aligns with the growing industrial interest in the region. When structuring offers, remember that the middle-band width captures half the market. Candidates with specific expertise in simulation or lean tools may fall toward the higher P75 end of the spectrum. Ensure that your compensation discussions are built on this occupational foundation while accounting for the sector-specific premiums not reflected in the BLS survey.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
How should I use the national industry benchmark figures provided?
These figures are national, sector-specific benchmarks meant to provide context. They should not be used as local metro-specific wages for your hiring plan.
Is the median change of 2150 a reflection of salary inflation?
It is a reflection of the change in the median wage for the broad 17-2112 occupation over the year. It represents a general upward shift in the reported earnings.
Why is the P90 in Raleigh $152,010?
The P90 represents the wage at the 90th percentile of the broad occupation. It is typically reached by experienced professionals with advanced specializations or senior roles.
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