Est. Earnings (1yr)
$49,157
Est. from MO median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$10,263
Est. from national median (8 programs)

Analysis

Industrial production programs in Missouri typically lead to solid first-year earnings, and the figures for St Charles suggest this certificate falls right in line with state norms—around $49,000 based on comparable Missouri programs. That's notably above the national median for this credential and translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings picture, with estimated borrowing of roughly $10,000. For a short-term certificate, that's a reasonable investment if your student can complete it efficiently.

The catch is that these are peer-program estimates, not tracked outcomes from St Charles itself. The school's small graduate cohorts mean the Department of Education can't publish actual earnings data. What we do know: the strongest Missouri programs in this field, like Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City, report first-year earnings around $54,000, while weaker options dip into the mid-$30,000s. Where St Charles falls on that spectrum remains unclear without actual graduate outcomes.

For families considering this certificate, the key question is local employer demand. Industrial production credentials are heavily tied to regional manufacturing sectors, so job placement rates and employer partnerships matter more here than the degree itself. Before committing, push the school for concrete placement statistics and alumni outcomes—especially given that you're working from estimated rather than verified data.

Where St Charles Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

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

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
St Charles Community CollegeCottleville$3,000$49,157*—$10,263*—
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas CityKansas City$3,630$53,967*—$9,089*0.17
University of Central MissouriWarrensburg$9,739$49,157*—$23,875*0.49
Crowder CollegeNeosho$6,180$36,148*——*—
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 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 median of 3 similar programs in MO. Actual outcomes may vary.