Industrial Production Technology at Washtenaw Community College

Ann Arbor, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians

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 Technology — 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 Technology 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 Technology 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 Technology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
64
Score
65
High End
Earnings $42,813/yr (-23% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (73% shielded)
Job Market Large (69,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$43K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
81.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
5 of 5
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$5,472
Out-of-state: $12,672
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,041
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Industrial Production Technology 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%
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
$77,390
+1.5% growth 76% AI-proof
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
$77,180
+0.6% growth 59% AI-proof
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians
$64,790
+1.7% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 5 career paths with full salary data →

Industrial Production Technology Career Guide

Explore what Industrial Production Technology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 47 programs nationwide.

Read the full Industrial Production Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Industrial Production Technology Overview

Industrial Production Technology 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Industrial Production Technology at Washtenaw Community College?
At 64/100, the score looks reasonable — but Industrial Production Technology is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
What's the typical debt for Industrial Production Technology graduates from Washtenaw Community College?
Median debt of just $12,500 against $42,813/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 4 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why are Industrial Production Technology earnings lower at Washtenaw Community College?
Lower starting pay at Washtenaw Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Industrial Production Technology program at Washtenaw Community College?
Yes — 30 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Industrial Production Technology career paths, including Additive 3D Printing Technician. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Washtenaw Community College.
Will Industrial Production Technology graduates from Washtenaw Community College find jobs?
Job availability for Industrial Production Technology is strong — 69,900 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Washtenaw Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in MI may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →