by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 150 U.S. colleges awarded 4,214 degrees and certificates in Industrial Technology. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 35% of graduates. College Factual ranks 70 schools in its 2027 Best Industrial 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.
Studying Industrial Technology involves the study of Industrial Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Industrial Engineers And Managers. Includes Instruction In Optimization Theory, Human Factors, Organizational Behavior, Industrial Processes, Industrial Planning Procedures, Computer Applications, And Report And Presentation Preparation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., industrial technology is a widely-pursued major, with 4,214 degrees awarded annually. 150 colleges award industrial technology degrees, an average of 28 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 470.
By level, the 4,214 awards include 617 certificates, 1,022 associate degrees, 1,020 bachelor’s degrees, 1,459 master’s degrees and 5 doctorates.
Women earned 19% of industrial technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (804 of 4,214). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,241) and Hispanic or Latino (526), and international students earned 612.
College Factual ranks 70 schools in its 2027 Best Industrial Technology Schools ranking, including 22 for associate degrees, 27 for bachelor’s degrees and 8 for master’s degrees. It also ranks industrial technology schools within 21 states. In all, 150 colleges offer industrial technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Industrial Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common industrial technology credential is the master’s degree: 1,459 of the 4,214 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to industrial technology call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Mechanical and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Problem Sensitivity and Deductive Reasoning.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an industrial technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 617 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,022 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,020 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,459 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
Some college courses is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to industrial technology, at 24.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Some college courses | 24.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 20.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 18.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 6.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.5% |
| Master’s degree | 3.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Industrial Technology, with an average median salary of $69,362; the strongest outlook belongs to Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians, at 2.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Support Technician, Quality Technician, Quality Assurance Automation Engineer (QA Automation Engineer) and Analysis Tester.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to industrial technology, at 266,539.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 266,539 | 2.0% |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 138,570 | -0.5% |
Industrial 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 technology is Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians, with a median salary of $88,689.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $88,689 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,036 |
Industrial Technology has 8 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 8,678 degrees a year; the largest are Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician (5,260), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Other (2,286) and Welding Engineering Technology/Technician (507). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
