by our College Data Analytics TeamSteel, 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. Read on to learn the key facts every industrial production technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering industrial production technology programs.
Nationwide, industrial production technology is a widely-pursued major, with 11,391 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Industrial Production Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 434 schools to determine the best overall colleges for industrial production technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of industrial production technology programs later in this article.
Programs in Industrial Production Technology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations industrial production technology graduates commonly enter.
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.
Skills built by a industrial production technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a industrial production technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several industrial production technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,573 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,631 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,022 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,416 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
People currently working in careers related to industrial production technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in industrial production technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
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.
Majoring in industrial production technology can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to industrial production technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to industrial production technology.
| 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of industrial production technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $59,570 |
| 4 years | $66,536 |
| 5 years | $74,003 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for industrial production technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers industrial production technology grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 434 different industrial production technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased industrial production technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in industrial production technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
