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.
In 2021-2022, industrial production technology was the 109th most popular major nationwide with 11,288 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Industrial Production Technology Schools ranking analyzes 89 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for industrial production technology students. Explore this or one of our many other custom industrial production tech rankings further below.
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.
industrial production technology degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific industrial production tech careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different industrial production tech degree levels. Industrial Production Technology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest industrial production tech degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common industrial production tech degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to industrial production tech, with approximately 20.2% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for industrial production tech workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 23.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 19.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 18.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 13.7% |
| Some College Courses | 9.6% |
Most workers in industrial production tech have at least a associate degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in industrial production technology careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the industrial production tech career you are seeking.
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.
Want a job when you graduate with your industrial production tech degree? Industrial Production Technology careers are expected to grow 4.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to industrial production technology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 427,300 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians | 139,800 | 2.0% |
| Engineering Technicians | 80,800 | 5.2% |
| Industrial Engineering Technicians | 64,300 | 0.6% |
| Semiconductor Processors | 24,100 | -5.5% |
Industrial Production Technology graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $59,575 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $24,913 to as high as $103,572. As you might expect, salaries for industrial production tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for industrial production technology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers industrial production tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technicians | $65,720 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians | $65,050 |
| Industrial Engineering Technicians | $58,860 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $44,360 |
| Semiconductor Processors | $39,810 |
With over 1,252 different industrial production tech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased industrial production tech school rankings to help you with this.
One of 18 majors within the Engineering Technologies area of study, Industrial Production Technology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing Engineering Technology | 4,587 |
| Industrial Technology | 4,134 |
| Other Industrial Production Technologies | 1,752 |
| Welding Engineering Technology | 328 |
| Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology | 290 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electromechanical Engineering Technology | 10,780 |
| Environmental Control Technology | 9,376 |
| Drafting & Design Engineering Technology | 8,822 |
| Electronics Engineering Technology | 8,347 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | 6,553 |
