by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 23 U.S. colleges awarded 280 degrees and certificates in Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 49% of graduates. College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Plastics & Polymer Engineering 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.
A degree in Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology explores Plastics And Polymer Engineering Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers And Other Professionals Engaged In Developing And Using Industrial Polymers. Includes Instruction In The Principles Of Macromolecular Chemistry, Polymerization And Plastic Manufacturing Processes And Equipment, Design And Operational Testing Procedures, Equipment Maintenance And Repair Procedures, Safety Procedures, Applications To Specific Products, And Report Preparation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, plastics & polymer engineering technology is a popular field of study, with 280 degrees awarded annually. 23 colleges award plastics & polymer engineering technology degrees, an average of 12 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 48.
By level, the 280 awards include 36 certificates, 39 associate degrees, 49 bachelor’s degrees, 137 master’s degrees and 1 doctorates.
Women earned 18% of plastics & polymer engineering technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (50 of 280). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (175) and Hispanic or Latino (29), and international students earned 8.
College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees and 3 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks plastics & polymer engineering technology schools within 3 states. In all, 23 colleges offer plastics & polymer engineering technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common plastics & polymer engineering technology credential is the master’s degree: 137 of the 280 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to plastics & polymer engineering 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 plastics & polymer engineering technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 36 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 39 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 49 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 137 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to plastics & polymer engineering 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 Plastics & Polymer Engineering 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, Photonics Technician (Photonics Tech) and Optics Test Technician (Optics Test Tech).
The occupation related to plastics & polymer engineering 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% |
Plastics & Polymer Engineering 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 plastics & polymer engineering 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 |
Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology has 8 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 12,612 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.
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