CareerGPS

Industrial Engineering Technicians
Summary Occupational Forecast Data for Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Employment Employment Change Average Annual Job Openings Wage & Training Levels
2020 2025 Numerical Percent New Jobs Replacement Jobs Total Median Hourly Median Annual Training Levels
115 138 24 20.61% 5 14 19 $34.18 $71,095 Associate's degree
Description: Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May study and record time, motion, method, and speed involved in performance of production, maintenance, clerical, and other worker operations for such purposes as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.
Forecast Data Source: EMSI (4th Quarter 2023)

Occupation Details

The information in this section represents occupational characteristics included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors". These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described in greater detail in the O*NET Content Model. All items are listed in descending order of importance.

  • Recommend revision to methods of operation, material handling, equipment layout, or other changes to increase production or improve standards.
  • Study time, motion, methods, and speed involved in maintenance, production, and other operations to establish standard production rate and improve efficiency.
  • Interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, or formulas and confer with management or engineering staff to determine quality and reliability standards.
  • Recommend modifications to existing quality or production standards to achieve optimum quality within limits of equipment capability.
  • Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, and anticipated delays.
  • Observe worker using equipment to verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards.
  • Observe workers operating equipment or performing tasks to determine time involved and fatigue rate using timing devices.
  • Prepare charts, graphs, and diagrams to illustrate workflow, routing, floor layouts, material handling, and machine utilization.
  • Evaluate data and write reports to validate or indicate deviations from existing standards.
  • Read worker logs, product processing sheets, and specification sheets, to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.
  • Prepare graphs or charts of data or enter data into computer for analysis.
  • Record test data, applying statistical quality control procedures.

Knowledge

87%
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
81%
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
71%
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
69%
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
67%
Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
66%
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
61%
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
58%
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
56%
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
56%
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
56%
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Skills

75%
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
72%
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
72%
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
69%
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
69%
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
65%
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
65%
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
60%
Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
60%
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
60%
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
53%
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
53%
Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
53%
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
50%
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
50%
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
50%
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Abilities

69%
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
69%
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
69%
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
69%
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
69%
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
66%
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
66%
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
66%
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
60%
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
60%
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
60%
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
60%
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
60%
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
60%
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
56%
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
56%
Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
53%
Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
53%
Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
53%
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
50%
Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes compa

Work Activities

77%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
75%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
74%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
73%
Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
72%
Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
69%
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
68%
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
65%
Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
65%
Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
64%
Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
63%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
63%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
62%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
61%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
56%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
56%
Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
56%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
55%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
54%
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
52%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
50%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
50%
Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Title Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Overall Experience Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include food service managers, electricians, agricultural technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.
Education Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Interests

Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outsi
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Work Styles

Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values

Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.