Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degree) at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Median Earnings (1yr)

$78,938

95th percentile

Median Debt

$18,250

25% below national median

Analysis

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's Industrial Production Technologies program is crushing it—graduates earn nearly $80,000 right out of the gate, placing them in the 95th percentile both nationally and among California programs. To put that in perspective, this is $33,000 more than the typical California graduate in this field and nearly $20,000 above the national median. You're looking at earnings that exceed even the 75th percentile nationally, which is remarkable for a first-year salary.

The debt picture makes this even more compelling. At $18,250, graduates owe less than both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23—meaning students could theoretically pay off their loans with just three months of their first year's salary. Compare that to CSU Los Angeles or Fresno, where graduates earn nearly half as much. The moderate sample size suggests this isn't a fluke from tracking just a handful of graduates.

For a parent weighing options, this is straightforward: Cal Poly SLO has built something special here, likely benefiting from strong industry connections in California's manufacturing and tech sectors. The combination of top-tier earnings and manageable debt makes this one of the best industrial technology programs you'll find anywhere, not just in California.

Where California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all industrial production technologies/technicians bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (7 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo	$11,075	$78,938	—	$18,250	0.23
California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles	$6,813	$45,287	$62,161	$15,883	0.35
California State University-FresnoFresno	$6,980	$42,807	$52,823	$10,518	0.25
National Median	—	$59,822	—	$24,250	0.41

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with industrial production technologies/technicians graduates

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Semiconductor Processing Technicians

Perform any or all of the following functions in the manufacture of electronic semiconductors: load semiconductor material into furnace; saw formed ingots into segments; load individual segment into crystal growing chamber and monitor controls; locate crystal axis in ingot using x-ray equipment and saw ingots into wafers; and clean, polish, and load wafers into series of special purpose furnaces, chemical baths, and equipment used to form circuitry and change conductive properties.

$51,180/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

$51,000/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, approximately 18% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 39 graduates with reported earnings and 34 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.