by our College Data Analytics TeamA 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. Read on to learn the essential details every plastics & polymer engineering technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering plastics & polymer engineering technology programs.
Across the country, plastics & polymer engineering technology is a popular field of study, with 271 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 25 schools to determine the best overall colleges for plastics & polymer engineering technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of plastics & polymer engineering technology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations plastics & polymer engineering technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a plastics & polymer engineering technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a plastics & polymer engineering technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several plastics & polymer 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 | 40 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 43 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 38 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 143 |
People currently working in careers related to plastics & polymer engineering 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in plastics & polymer engineering technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying plastics & polymer engineering technology opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to plastics & polymer engineering technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to plastics & polymer engineering 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 plastics & polymer engineering 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 plastics & polymer engineering technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers plastics & polymer engineering 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 25 different plastics & polymer engineering technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased plastics & polymer engineering technology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in plastics & polymer 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.
