Engineering Technology

1 schools compared · Average earnings $68,551/yr

Quick Facts: Engineering Technology Training

Where it's offered

Engineering Technology programs are offered at 1 schools across 1 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.

Earnings expectations

Graduates earn approximately $68,551/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.

Apprenticeship pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 19 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Engineering Technology — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.

Program quality benchmark

Across the 1 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 58/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.

What Engineering Technology Graduates Do

Your career often begins on the ground as an engineering technician. You’ll be on the factory floor with a tablet and a keen eye, mapping how a product moves from A to B and gathering data for senior engineers. As you gain experience, you’ll advance to become an industrial engineer, a role with exceptionally strong demand. Now you’re the one analyzing that data, using software to model more efficient workflows, and presenting plans to redesign production lines for better speed and safety.

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With a few more years, you can move into management. As an industrial production manager, you’ll oversee entire plant operations, leading staff and troubleshooting daily challenges. Or you could become an engineering manager, coordinating large projects and budgets. Your starting salary as a technician provides a strong foundation, but progressing to an engineer and then a manager role pushes earnings well into six figures. While AI tools will increasingly assist with design and analysis, the hands-on work of implementing changes and leading human teams remains your essential skill.

Closely-related paths include Industrial Engineering and Engineering Science, which share overlapping job markets and training components.

Schools Offering
1
Avg Grad Earnings
$68,551/yr
Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58/100
Apprenticeship Paths
19

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 19 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Engineering Technology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship Training Hours Type Salary RangeSalary Growth
Additive 3D Printing Technician
RAPIDS 2078HY
2000-4000 hrs Hybrid $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Bank-Note Designer
RAPIDS 640
10000 hrs
~5.0 yrs
Time $62K$79,450$103K 3.2%
Commercial Designer
RAPIDS 13
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $62K$79,450$103K 3.2%
Furniture Designer
RAPIDS 225
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $62K$79,450$103K 3.2%
Industrial Designer
RAPIDS 16
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $62K$79,450$103K 3.2%
Industrial Engineering Technician
RAPIDS 259
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $53K$64,790$79K 1.7%
Industrial Engineering Technician
RAPIDS 0259CB
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $53K$64,790$79K 1.7%
Industrial Manufacturing Technician
RAPIDS 2031HY
2736-3000 hrs Hybrid $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Industrial Manufacturing Technician (Alternate Title: Manafacturing Production Techician)
RAPIDS 2031CB
Competency Competency $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Laboratory Asst, Metallurgical
RAPIDS 621
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Logistics Engineer
RAPIDS 632
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $82K$101,140$127K 11.0%
Non-Destructive Tester
RAPIDS 1010
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs
Time $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Non-Destructive Tester
RAPIDS 1010CL
Competency Competency $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Nondestructive Testing (Ndt) (Existing Title: Non-Destructive Tester) (Military Only)
RAPIDS 1010R
5920 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Optics Manufacturing Technician
RAPIDS 2045CB
Competency Competency $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Quality Control Technician
RAPIDS 462
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $53K$64,790$79K 1.7%
Stained Glass Artist
RAPIDS 382
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $62K$79,450$103K 3.2%
Welding Technician
RAPIDS 498
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Wine Maker (Vinous Liquor)
RAPIDS 34
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $95K$121,440$156K 1.9%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Find Engineering Technology Programs in Your State

Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Engineering Technology is offered at 1 schools across 1 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.

Top Engineering Technology Programs Nationally

For context, here are the highest-scoring Engineering Technology programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.

1 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.

# School Score Earnings ROI
1 Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
70
66–71
$68,551/yr 64.6x

Highest Earning Engineering Technology Programs

Schools where Engineering Technology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School 1-Year Earnings Score
Indiana University-Indianapolis $68,551/yr 70

Best ROI for Engineering Technology

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Engineering Technology.

School ROI Multiple Earnings Score
Indiana University-Indianapolis 64.6x $68,551/yr 70

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Engineering Technology degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Engineering Technology graduates earn?
First-year earnings for Engineering Technology graduates average $68,551 annually, based on data from 1 programs. The range spans $68,551 at the low end to $68,551 at the top.
Will AI replace Engineering Technology jobs?
Engineering Technology is rated "Resilient" for AI resilience — 56% of job tasks involve hands-on work shielded from AI automation. That means most career tasks in this field rely on skills AI cannot replicate.
What's the top-ranked school for Engineering Technology?
Based on the TradeSchoolOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), Indiana University-Indianapolis ranks #1 for Engineering Technology with a score of 70/100 and graduate earnings of $68,551/yr.
What's the ROI on a Engineering Technology program?
Typical graduates earn 64.6 times what they paid in tuition within a decade. This is a strong return on investment. Look at per-school ROI in the table above — averages can mask significant variation.
Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, and DOL RAPIDS. Methodology & sources →