by our College Data Analytics TeamA 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. Read on to learn the essential details every composite materials technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering composite materials technology programs.
Nationwide, composite materials technology is a popular field of study, with 108 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Composite Materials Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 8 schools to determine the best overall colleges for composite materials technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of composite materials technology programs later in this article.
Programs in Composite Materials Technology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations composite materials technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a composite materials technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a composite materials technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several composite materials 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 | 8 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 99 |
People currently working in careers related to composite materials technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in composite materials technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in composite materials technology opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to composite materials technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to composite materials technology.
| 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of composite materials technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 composite materials technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers composite materials technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
With 8 different composite materials technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased composite materials technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in composite materials 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.
