Industrial Production Technologies at Washtenaw Community College
enrolling 7,736 students in Ann Arbor, MI.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $42,813 place Washtenaw Community College below the $55,266 national median for Industrial Production Technologies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
With a 81.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 0% 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.
With first-year pay of $42,813 far exceeding the $12,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #27 ranking among 47 Industrial Production Technologies programs places Washtenaw Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
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
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 Washtenaw Community College
Explore the Degree Alternative
Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.