Engineering
Industrial Engineer
You make systems and businesses work faster, cheaper and better.
- Starting salary
- R25 000 – R40 000
- Job demand
- Steady demand
- Key subjects
- Mathematics, Physical Sciences
What do they do?
You make systems and businesses work faster, cheaper and better.
A day in the life
You study processes, find waste, redesign workflows and use data to improve productivity.
Skills you need
- Analysis
- Organisation
- People skills
- Maths
School subjects that help
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Business Studies
How long does it take?
3 main steps after school, usually 3–6 years of study, plus practical experience.
Study path
- 1High school
- 2BEng Industrial
- 3Graduate programme
- 4Industrial engineer
Ways in: University degree · University of Technology. University is not the only route.
Where can I study?
- Stellenbosch University
- University of Pretoria
- University of the Witwatersrand
- North-West University
- University of Johannesburg
- Tshwane University of Technology
Admission requirements differ by institution, always check the official website.
What can I earn?
Entry level
R25 000 – R40 000
per month (estimate)
Mid career
R45 000 – R75 000
per month (estimate)
Experienced / senior
R80 000 – R140 000+
per month (estimate)
Estimated salary ranges only. Salaries vary based on experience, qualification, industry, location and employer.
How to start preparing now
- • Find the slowest queue at school and redesign it
- • Learn spreadsheets
- • Study how shops manage stock
Try this career
Time a daily routine and design a way to make it 20% faster.
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This tool is designed to help you explore career possibilities. It does not replace professional career counselling, school guidance or official university admission requirements.