Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degree) at St Charles Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$56,704

Est. from national median (34 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$12,000

Est. from national median (21 programs)

Analysis

Similar industrial production programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $56,700, but that figure may significantly understate the Missouri market. The one Missouri school with reported data—Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City—shows graduates earning $74,800, nearly $18,000 more than the national benchmark St Charles's estimates are derived from. Missouri's manufacturing sector, particularly in the St Louis metro area, often pays technical workers above national averages, which means this program could deliver substantially better outcomes than the conservative national estimates indicate.

The estimated debt load of $12,000 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21, even using the lower national figure. If actual earnings track closer to Missouri's demonstrated outcomes, graduates would be looking at a ratio under 0.16—exceptional for any credential. Community college manufacturing programs typically offer one of the clearest paths to middle-class wages with minimal debt, and St Charles appears positioned in a strong regional market for these skills.

The uncertainty here cuts in your favor. You're looking at a worst-case scenario based on national data that likely underestimates what Missouri manufacturers actually pay. The debt is manageable regardless, and if the program performs anywhere near Missouri's documented outcomes, your child would be entering the workforce with strong earning potential and minimal financial burden. For families prioritizing practical skills and quick workforce entry, this represents a low-risk investment.

Where St Charles Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians associates's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (14 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
St Charles Community CollegeCottleville	$3,000	$56,704*	—	$12,000*	—
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas CityKansas City	$3,630	$74,822*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$56,704*	—	$13,500*	0.24

* 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 St Charles Community College, approximately 25% 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 34 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.