by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 8 U.S. colleges awarded 114 degrees and certificates in Composite Materials Technology. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 94% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $59,570 one year after completing, rising to $77,765 after four years.
A major in Composite Materials Technology involves the study of A Program Of Study That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers And Other Professionals Engaged In The Development, Manufacture, And Use Of Composite Materials In Aircraft Technology, Automotive Technology, Boats, Medical Prostheses, And Wind Turbines. Includes Instruction In Computer-Aided Design And Drafting, Composite Materials And Processes, Composite Maintenance, Composite Manufacturing, Composite Repair, Material Science, And Mold Manufacturing And Production.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, composite materials technology is a popular field of study, with 114 degrees awarded annually. 8 colleges award composite materials technology degrees, an average of 14 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 69.
By level, the 114 awards include 3 certificates, 4 associate degrees and 107 master’s degrees.
Women earned 11% of composite materials technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (13 of 114). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (72) and Hispanic or Latino (28).
The most common composite materials technology credential is the master’s degree: 107 of the 114 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to composite materials technology call most for Reading Comprehension, Quality Control Analysis and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Problem Sensitivity and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a composite materials technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 107 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to composite materials technology, at 47.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 47.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 25.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.9% |
| Some college courses | 6.8% |
| Master’s degree | 2.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Composite Materials Technology, with an average median salary of $95,412; the strongest outlook belongs to Non-Destructive Testing Specialists, at 3.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Test Technician (Test Tech), Laser Specialist, Ruling Technician (Ruling Tech) and Thin Film Technician (Thin Film Tech).
The occupation related to composite materials technology with the most projected jobs is Photonics Technicians, at 306,018.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
Composite Materials 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 composite materials 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 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
Composite Materials Technology has 8 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 12,778 degrees a year; the largest are Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician (5,260), Industrial Technology/Technician (4,214) and Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Other (2,286). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.