by our College Data Analytics TeamPlastics & Polymer Engineering Technology was the 923rd most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 302 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 31.1% reduction in plastics and polymer engineering tech degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 396.
Our 2023 Best Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes 5 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for plastics and polymer engineering technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of plastics and polymer engineering tech programs later in this article.
When studying Plastics and Polymer Engineering Tech, you’ll learn that using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. Required skills include using mathematics to solve problems and considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most plastics and polymer engineering tech degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional plastics and polymer engineering tech certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of plastics and polymer engineering tech degrees. You can get anything from a in plastics and polymer engineering technology/technician to the highest plastics and polymer engineering tech degree, a . Depending on the plastics and polymer engineering technology/technician degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| 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 plastics and polymer engineering tech, with approximately 40.9% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for plastics and polymer engineering tech workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 40.9% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 36.4% |
| High School Diploma | 9.1% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 4.6% |
| Some College Courses | 4.6% |
86.4% of plastics and polymer engineering tech workers have at least a associate. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in plastics and polymer engineering technology/technician have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the plastics and polymer engineering tech career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your plastics and polymer engineering tech degree? Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology careers are expected to grow 5.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to plastics and polymer engineering technology/technician.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technicians | 80,800 | 5.2% |
As you might expect, salaries for plastics and polymer engineering tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for plastics and polymer engineering technology/technician graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers plastics and polymer engineering tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technicians | $65,720 |
With over 65 different plastics and polymer engineering 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 plastics and polymer engineering tech school rankings to help you with this.
Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology is one of 8 different types of Industrial Production Technology programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing Engineering Technology | 4,812 |
| Industrial Technology | 4,540 |
| Other Industrial Production Technologies | 1,740 |
| Welding Engineering Technology | 274 |
| Composite Materials Technology | 91 |
View All Plastics and Polymer Engineering Tech Related Majors >
