Industrial Production Technologies at SOWELA Technical Community College
a smaller institution with 2,979 students in Lake Charles, LA.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $75,239 put SOWELA Technical Community College's Industrial Production Technologies program 36% above the national median of $55,266 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
With a 149.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 40% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Industrial Production Technologies career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.
SOWELA Technical Community College ranks #6 among 47 Industrial Production Technologies programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The $75,239-to-$130,442 earnings arc over five years reflects a 73% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.
The 30 apprenticeship pathways connected to Industrial Production Technologies reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Industrial Production Technologies graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other | $77,390 | +1.5% | 76% |
| Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians | $77,180 | +0.6% | 59% |
| Industrial engineering technologists and technicians | $64,790 | +1.7% | 61% |
About Industrial Production Technologies Careers
Your career in industrial production puts you at the heart of how things get made. You might start as a welder, using high-heat torches and plasma cutters to fuse steel beams on a construction site or meticulously join components in a sterile manufacturing environment. Alternatively, you could be an electrical engineering technician in a lab, using multimeters and oscilloscopes to test prototypes or troubleshoot the complex robotic arms on an assembly line. This is hands-on problem-solving that can't be outsourced or done by an algorithm.
Read the full Industrial Production Technologies career guide →
Compare & Explore
Industrial Production Technologies Overview
Industrial Production Technologies at Other Schools
Other Majors at SOWELA Technical Community College
Explore the Degree Alternative
Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.