Industrial Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer salary
In South Africa, a mechanical engineer earns about 34% more than a industrial engineer — $50,450 vs $37,670 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is ZAR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
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Engineering
Mechanical Engineer$50,450/yr
- Monthly
- $4,207
- Hourly
- $24
- Range
- $34,557–$69,872
- 10-yr outlook
- +10%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Industrial Engineer | Mechanical Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $26,142 | $34,557 |
| 25th | $31,909 | $42,507 |
| Median | $37,670 | $50,450 |
| 75th | $44,714 | $60,161 |
| Senior (90th) | $51,759 | $69,872 |
National South Africa figures in ZAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Engineering comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a industrial engineer or mechanical engineer earn more in South Africa?
- A mechanical engineer earns more, at about R 825 000 per year vs R 616 000 for a industrial engineer — roughly 34% (R 209 000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
- A industrial engineer typically earns R 427 500–R 846 400, while a mechanical engineer earns R 565 100–R 1 142 600 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a industrial engineer averages about R 51 300 and a mechanical engineer about R 68 800.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a industrial engineer earns about R 427 500 while a mechanical engineer earns about R 565 100 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a industrial engineer earns about R 846 400 while a mechanical engineer earns about R 1 142 600 per year.
- Are industrial engineer and mechanical engineer similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Engineering category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.