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Engineering Technology · Industrial Production Technology Rank #30 of 48

Industrial Production Technologyat California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Graduates earn $78,938/yr in their first year — about 31.0% above the national Industrial Production Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $711K; scenarios range from $653K to $721K depending on AI disruption.

San Luis Obispo, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
59 SOLID
59
Optimistic
58
Pessimistic
Earnings
$78,938
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$711K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
31% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Cal Poly SLO

The strong outcomes for Cal Poly SLO's Industrial Production Technologies program speak to the university's "learn by doing" philosophy and its deep industry connections. Your education here isn't just theoretical; it's heavily focused on practical application, making you exceptionally job-ready upon graduation. California's robust advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and high-tech sectors, particularly in regions accessible from San Luis Obispo, have a constant demand for skilled technicians who can bridge engineering design with production realities. Major employers, from defense contractors to electronics manufacturers, actively recruit from Cal Poly, recognizing the blend of technical expertise and problem-solving abilities you'll develop. To maximize your earning potential, proactively seek out internships and co-ops; these experiences are crucial for leveraging your skills into competitive post-graduation roles.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$653K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple14.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$711K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple16.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$721K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple16.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cal Poly SLO's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Industrial Production Technology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
+1.5% 10-yr growth · 5,700 openings/yr
$77,390/yr
Low
2
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 8,400 openings/yr
$77,180/yr
Moderate
3
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 6,300 openings/yr
$64,790/yr
Moderate
4
Semiconductor processing technicians
+10.9% 10-yr growth · 3,900 openings/yr
$51,180/yr
Low
5
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
+2.2% 10-yr growth · 45,600 openings/yr
$51,000/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Industrial Production Technology

How Cal Poly SLO stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Brigham Young University-Idaho
ID · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$85K
1-yr earn
44.9x
ROI
Lamar University
TX · Public
71
DW Score
$85K
1-yr earn
21.8x
ROI
Ferris State University
MI · Public
69
DW Score
$79K
1-yr earn
15.7x
ROI
Top score
Weber State University
UT · Public
72
DW Score
$75K
1-yr earn
35.3x
ROI
Central Connecticut State University
CT · Public
68
DW Score
$75K
1-yr earn
15.7x
ROI
Also at Cal Poly SLO

Other top programs at Cal Poly SLO

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cal Poly SLO, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Industrial Production Technology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Industrial Production Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Industrial Production Technology at Cal Poly SLO

How does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Industrial Production Technology program score?

A score of 59/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo trails the majority of Industrial Production Technology programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.