Most Industrial Production Tech programs take two years to complete. Graduates start earning $59,822 right after finishing, climbing to $80,890 four years out.
This page covers Industrial Production Tech as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering Tech and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Industrial Production Tech is a focused area of study within Engineering Tech. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $80,890 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 586 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 11,351 students complete it each year. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$59,822
Median Earnings · 4yr
$80,890
Colleges Offering
586
Graduates / Year
11,351
Avg Net Price / yr
$12,689
How Much Do Industrial Production Tech Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Industrial Production Tech, a typical graduate earns $80,890, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $61,191 and $99,266, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $59,822 at one year out to $80,890 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$80,890
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$81,404
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Industrial Production Tech graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$61,19125th pct.
$80,890Median
$99,26675th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $80,890 against an estimated $50,756 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 126 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 11,351 students who complete Industrial Production Tech programs each year, the majority (36%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
22%36%28%
Associate's36%
Bachelor's28%
Certificate22%
What Can You Do With an Industrial Production Tech Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Industrial Production Tech graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians pay the most at $78,190/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.
Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
Replace defective components or parts, using hand tools and precision instruments.
Set up and operate specialized or standard test equipment to diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electronic components, assemblies, or systems.
Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.
Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
Study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency.
Top Colleges for Industrial Production Tech
Not sure where to study Industrial Production Tech? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Industrial Production Tech graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Industrial Production Tech is not the only path through Engineering Tech: 18 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Industrial Production Tech program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Industrial Production Tech shows 4 measurable strengths and 0 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $80,890 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $59,822 at graduation to $80,890 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 14,700 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availabilityOffered at 586 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
Industrial Production Tech Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Industrial Production Tech graduates earn?
$80,890 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $61,191 and $99,266, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Industrial Production Tech degree?
$59,822 in the first year out. That grows to $80,890 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an Industrial Production Tech degree?
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians are one path, and it pays a median of $78,190 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an Industrial Production Tech program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for an Industrial Production Tech associate degree. Many students use it as a stepping stone, transferring to a four-year school afterward to finish a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Industrial Production Tech?
586 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an Industrial Production Tech degree worth it?
$80,890 median earnings four years out against $12,689 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Industrial Production Tech and Engineering Tech?
Industrial Production Tech is the narrower of the two: Engineering Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Industrial Production Tech-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Industrial Production Tech graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Industrial Production Tech graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Industrial Production Tech graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Industrial Production Tech graduates?
Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average +2.8% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians are among the strongest-growth roles at +3.1%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Other programs in Engineering Tech. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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