Industrial Engineers
Machines can already do 43% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 71%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Industrial Engineers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 43% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 4% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2029, and 71% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 365,740 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $102,440 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 77% for contact with people.
- Also called: Continuous Improvement Engineer, Engineer, Facilities Engineer, Industrial Engineer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confer with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, product and production specifications, manufacturing capabilities, or project status | 12% | 28% to 52% | |
| Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control | 7% | 50% to 85% | |
| Develop manufacturing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems to promote efficient staff and facility utilization | 7% | 50% to 85% | |
| Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization | 6% | 25% to 50% | |
| Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product | 6% | 60% to 90% | |
| Recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities | 6% | 35% to 58% | |
| Draft and design layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computer | 6% | 35% to 65% | |
| Review production schedules, engineering specifications, orders, and related information to obtain knowledge of manufacturing methods, procedures, and activities | 6% | 55% to 85% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills industrial engineers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Architectural and Engineering Managers50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $171,270
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians68% of tasks by 2035 · US median $66,120
- Mechanical Engineers69% of tasks by 2035 · US median $104,110
- Nuclear Engineers70% of tasks by 2035 · US median $133,970
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Industrial Engineers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2029. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of industrial engineers?
Machines can do 43% of the tasks of industrial engineers today and 71% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 17-2112.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Industrial Engineers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/industrial-engineers/