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Engineering Technology

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

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.

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.

Schools Offering

Avg Grad Earnings

$68,551/yr

Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score

58/100

AI-Proof Rating

Resilient

56% of tasks AI-shielded

Apprenticeship Paths

View pathways ↓

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.

Best Schools for Engineering Technology

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

#	School	Score	EarningsEarn	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, AI disruption risk, 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, DOL RAPIDS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →