by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology covers Manufacturing Engineering Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills To The Identification And Resolution Of Production Problems In The Manufacture Of Products. Includes Instruction In Machine Operations, Production Line Operations, Engineering Analysis, Systems Analysis, Instrumentation, Physical Controls, Automation, Computer-Aided Manufacturing (Cam), Manufacturing Planning, Quality Control, And Informational Infrastructure. Continue reading for the key facts every manufacturing engineering technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering manufacturing engineering technology programs.
In the U.S., manufacturing engineering technology is a widely-pursued major, with 4,498 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 259 schools to determine the best overall colleges for manufacturing engineering technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of manufacturing engineering technology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Manufacturing Engineering Technology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations manufacturing engineering technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a manufacturing engineering technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a manufacturing engineering technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several manufacturing engineering 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 | 628 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,128 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 570 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,921 |
People currently working in careers related to manufacturing engineering technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in manufacturing engineering technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in manufacturing engineering technology can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to manufacturing engineering technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to manufacturing engineering technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 266,539 | 2.0% |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 138,570 | -0.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of manufacturing engineering technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 manufacturing engineering technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers manufacturing engineering technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $88,689 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,036 |
With 259 different manufacturing engineering technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased manufacturing engineering technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in manufacturing engineering 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.
