by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 444 U.S. colleges awarded 12,892 degrees and certificates in Industrial Production Technology. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 39% of graduates. College Factual ranks 210 schools in its 2027 Best Industrial Production Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $59,570 one year after completing, rising to $77,765 after four years.
Steel, iron, plastic, and chemicals, all these materials are just some of the resources that you will be using and analyzing while pursuing a major in Industrial Production Technology. This program prepares students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers in the process of utilizing natural resources.
The increase in global manufacturing competition has placed an emphasis on efficient and quality manufacturing, therefore students are taught to understand and develop better ideas on how to utilize natural resources for the public's benefit. Students who peruse a degree in Industrial Production Technologies will take coursed in biochemistry, chemical engineering, physics, Mechanical Testing, and calculus.
There are many concentrations within this major. Some include Chemical Engineering Technology, Welding Engineering Technology, Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology, and Manufacturing Engineering Technology. These concentrations focus on specific elements of Industrial Production and student will be educated on how these resources can be used and improved. This major is offered as an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.
Studying Industrial Production Technology covers Industrial Production Technologies/technicians.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, industrial production technology is a widely-pursued major, with 12,892 degrees awarded annually. 444 colleges award industrial production technology degrees, an average of 29 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 728.
By level, the 12,892 awards include 1,729 certificates, 2,976 associate degrees, 2,042 bachelor’s degrees, 5,075 master’s degrees and 6 doctorates.
Women earned 16% of industrial production technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,122 of 12,892). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (7,520) and Hispanic or Latino (1,893), and international students earned 726.
College Factual ranks 210 schools in its 2027 Best Industrial Production Technology Schools ranking, including 69 for associate degrees, 49 for bachelor’s degrees and 10 for master’s degrees. It also ranks industrial production technology schools within 34 states. In all, 444 colleges offer industrial production technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Industrial Production Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common industrial production technology credential is the master’s degree: 5,075 of the 12,892 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to industrial production technology call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Problem Sensitivity and Written Comprehension.
In order to be successful within this major, students with strong mathematic and scientific skills are preferred. There is a heavy emphasis on lab work and experimentation, therefore individuals who enjoy analytical thinking and problem solving would best fit in major. In order to prepare for a degree in Industrial Production Technologies, prior coursework in English Composition, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics is recommended. An internship or job shadowing would be beneficial to students interested in this field, in order to gain knowledge and job experience.
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How long an industrial production technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,729 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,976 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,042 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5,075 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to industrial production technology, at 43.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 43.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 19.3% |
| Some college courses | 10.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.3% |
| Master’s degree | 2.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.8% |
Source: O*NET Online.
8 occupations are related to Industrial Production Technology, with an average median salary of $72,090; the strongest outlook belongs to Semiconductor Processing Technicians, at 7.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Test Technician (Test Tech), Laser Specialist, Test Technician and Engineering Technician.
There is a wide variety of career options for students who pursue a degree in Industrial Production Technologies. Depending on what concentration you choose, some careers you would be well trained for include Industrial Production Manager, Industrial Engineering Technicians, Materials Technologist, and Chemical Engineering Technician. These careers all involve finding ways to better the manufacturing process, by using natural resources in the most benefit way. There is increasing demand to for graduates with a degree in Industrial Production Technology. Global competition has created the need for innovative problem solvers with a degree in these fields.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to industrial production technology, at 812,716.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Semiconductor Processing Technicians | 812,716 | 7.8% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 266,539 | 2.0% |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 221,841 | -4.1% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 150,615 | 0.3% |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 138,570 | -0.5% |
Industrial Production Technology graduates earn a median $59,570 one year after completing their program, $77,765 after four years and $73,754 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $59,570 |
| 4 years | $77,765 |
| 5 years | $73,754 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to industrial production technology is Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, with a median salary of $121,642.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $88,689 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,455 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,230 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,036 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technicians | $30,069 |
Industrial Production Technology includes 9 concentrations that together award 12,892 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician (5,260), Industrial Technology/Technician (4,214) and Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Other (2,286). It has 18 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 86,155 degrees a year; the largest are Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (13,228), Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (12,771) and Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (10,346). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
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