Engineering Technology
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.
Read more
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN |
70 66–71 |
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.