Industrial Engineers Salary in Hickory, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Median annual salary $80,560 -20.3% vs national
Median hourly $38.73
10th percentile $56,710
90th percentile $124,140
Employed locally 650
National median $101,140

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Industrial Engineers
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Hickory, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $56,710
    25th
    $64,030
    50th (median)
    $80,560
    75th
    $99,000
    90th
    $124,140

    Hickory economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,255 2023 • Census ACS
    Industrial Engineers salary vs area income 134% Median Industrial Engineers salary is 34% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Industrial Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Anchorage, AK $166,350
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $154,740
    Alaska $142,980
    Charleston, WV $141,900
    Vallejo, CA $140,500
    New Orleans-Metairie, LA $139,130

    Nearby metros — Industrial Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Anchorage, AK $166,350
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $133,790
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $126,530
    Lynchburg, VA $113,070
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $104,320
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $104,230

    Related occupations in Hickory, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Mechanical Engineers $84,450
    Electrical Engineers $103,960
    Civil Engineers $88,530
    Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians $56,350
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $76,440
    Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other $69,030

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Industrial Engineers make per hour in Hickory?

    The median hourly wage for Industrial Engineers in Hickory, NC is $38.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $61.68 or more per hour.

    Is Hickory above or below average for Industrial Engineers salaries?

    The median Industrial Engineers salary in Hickory, NC is 20.3% below the national median of $101,140. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Industrial Engineers in Hickory?

    Entry-level Industrial Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $56,710 per year in Hickory, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $64,030.