Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at SOWELA Technical Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$43,602

Est. from national median (13 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,263

Est. from national median (8 programs)

Analysis

SOWELA's industrial production certificate puts graduates on track for earnings around $44,000 in their first year—a figure drawn from peer programs nationally since this specific certificate hasn't produced enough graduates for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes. That estimated salary, combined with projected debt under $11,000, creates a manageable debt burden of roughly three months' income, which is favorable for a credential that can be completed in less than two years.

The real question is whether this represents actual opportunity in Lake Charles's industrial economy or just a statistical average from programs across very different labor markets. Louisiana's chemical plants and refineries create genuine demand for production technicians, and SOWELA sits in an industrial hub where those jobs actually exist. Similar programs nationally range from $44,000 to over $54,000 in first-year earnings, suggesting the field offers pathways to higher pay—but without local data, it's impossible to know whether SOWELA's specific connections and curriculum translate into those better outcomes.

For families looking at technical training, this certificate offers low financial risk compared to longer programs. The estimated debt is modest, and even at the median earning level, graduates should manage repayment without difficulty. The gamble isn't financial—it's whether this particular program delivers the industry connections and practical skills that matter more than any credential in technical fields.

Where SOWELA Technical Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
SOWELA Technical Community CollegeLake Charles	$4,265	$43,602*	—	$10,263*	—
Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids	$4,059	$70,622*	—	$11,500*	0.16
Ivy Tech Community CollegeIndianapolis	$4,912	$63,796*	$52,314	$10,245*	0.16
Antelope Valley Community College DistrictLancaster	$1,124	$63,060*	—	$10,280*	0.16
Texas State Technical CollegeWaco	$7,192	$54,068*	—	$9,500*	0.18
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas CityKansas City	$3,630	$53,967*	—	$9,089*	0.17
National Median	—	$43,602*	—	$10,244*	0.23

* Estimated from similar programs

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 SOWELA Technical Community College, approximately 42% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 13 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.