Curious what you can earn with a degree in industrial technology? Whether you want to work in manufacturing, construction, or logistics, a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) can open the door to high-paying, high-demand roles.
Entry-level jobs often start around $50,000, and many graduates go on to earn well into six figures as they gain experience and certifications. In this article, we’ll break down salary data and job outlooks for some of the most popular careers in industrial technology and help you picture your future in the field.
“Industrial technologist” is a catchall term that encapsulates plant managers, industrial designers, technology analysts, and other positions centered around productivity. In general, the job outlook for this group of professionals is bright.
As industries increasingly rely on technology and automation, tech-savvy problem-solvers will remain in high demand. For a clearer look at the outlook of your potential career, let’s take a look at the job outlooks for some of the most popular industrial technology job titles.
Industrial engineers apply the lessons in productivity taught by UT Permian Basin’s online BSIT program directly to their positions. Specifically, they ensure that people, processes, and machinery work together in harmony to deliver a product or service.
There were 336,600 industrial engineering jobs in the United States in 2023, and there will soon be many more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), industrial engineering positions are expected to grow by over 12% over the next decade. For their cost- and time-saving talents, industrial engineers can expect an average annual salary of about $101,000.
Cost estimators estimate the money, materials, and manpower needed to complete a project. Although this skill proves valuable in manufacturing industries, cost estimators are most often employed in construction, an industry known for slim profit margins and a need for efficiency.
Cost estimators make about $77,000 a year, but that varies depending on your level of experience and the industry you work in. There were 227,900 cost estimator jobs in the United States in 2023.
While cost estimators have traditionally played a key role in industries like construction and manufacturing, the field is seeing a projected decline of 4% in total jobs through 2033. This shift is largely due to advancements in software and automation, which allow companies to perform more accurate cost analyses with fewer employees.
So, what does this mean for you? There’s still demand for skilled cost estimators, especially those with expertise in digital tools like CAD and cost management software. If you’re tech-savvy and comfortable working across teams, you can still carve out a successful niche with the understanding that competition may be a little more fierce than in the past.
Industrial production managers oversee the day-to-day operations of manufacturing plants and hold one of the highest-paid positions a BSIT graduate can obtain, earning an average annual salary of about $121,000. There were 230,100 industrial production manager jobs in the United States in 2023.
Employment for this position is expected to grow over the next decade, but only marginally, so competition will remain fierce. You’ll need experience and education to stand out from the crowd in a field like this, which is why earning your BSIT is so important.
Industrial technologists are employed in a wide range of fields. So many, in fact, that you’ll likely have your choice of professional settings when you pursue your new career. There will always be a home for industrial technology graduates in manufacturing industries, but other fields have also been known to hire industrial technologists, like:
Using the careers listed above as examples, we know that cost estimators most often end up employed in the construction industry, while industrial engineers have a bit more freedom thanks to their versatile skill set.
As a graduate of UT Permian Basin’s BSIT program, you’ll be ready for opportunities in any number of exciting industries, including:
Industrial engineers also offer professional, scientific, and technical services, which means you could one day be earning a six-figure industrial technology salary as a consultant.
Industrial production managers, although more closely tied to manufacturing industries, still have an incredible amount of freedom when it comes to choosing where to work. According to the BLS, industrial production managers worked in the following top industries:
The job outlook for industrial technology majors is promising, but we’ve yet to discuss an even more important career outlook: your own.
As an industrial technology graduate, you’ll have a skill set that will serve you well no matter what industry you end up in. Furthermore, once employed, there’s nothing stopping you from moving from one industry to another as opportunities present themselves.
The career path you take may be linear, or it may be winding, with numerous rewarding detours. No matter where successful industrial technologists end up on their career path, their start is the same: a reputable degree in industrial technology.
A BSIT from UT Permian Basin can prepare you for a rewarding career as an industrial technologist by providing the technical and scientific skills needed to thrive in your chosen profession. UT Permian Basin’s online BSIT program can teach you how to:
Our program will also teach you the fundamental concepts of management, including principles of administration, leadership, and decision making. We offer flexible 8-week courses in a 100% online format with six start dates a year. You can pay for tuition can by the course, and financial aid is available. Click here to request more information.
Professionals educated in the use of engineering and manufacturing technology are highly sought after and will remain so for years to come. They continue to report high job satisfaction and populate some of the top-paying jobs in their industries.
These benefits, however, are exactly what makes industrial technology such a competitive industry. You get out what you put in, and only professionals with the right levels of education, experience, and work ethic will earn those high-paying, rewarding positions. If you’re ready to start on this career path and see where your hard work takes you, apply for UT Permian Basin’s online BSIT program. Your career outlook is as bright as you make it.
Learn more about UT Permian Basin’s online BSIT program.
Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/industrial-engineers.htm#tab-3
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/industrial-production-managers.htm#tab-6
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/cost-estimators.htm#tab-4
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