Best institutions to study Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing and using industrial polymers.
23 U.S. institutions graduated 280 Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.0607, a specialization of Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.06), and leads most directly to the Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 17-3029).
About Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing and using industrial polymers. Includes instruction in the principles of macromolecular chemistry, polymerization and plastic manufacturing processes and equipment, design and operational testing procedures, equipment maintenance and repair procedures, safety procedures, applications to specific products, and report preparation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support engineers in the development and application of industrial polymers. This program is ideal for those interested in the intersection of engineering principles and practical technical skills, focusing on the manufacturing processes of plastics and polymers. Students will gain insights into the design, testing, and maintenance of equipment used in this field.
Core coursework includes macromolecular chemistry, polymerization techniques, and plastic manufacturing processes. Students will also learn about operational testing procedures, equipment maintenance, safety protocols, and report preparation, equipping them with essential skills for the industry.
Credentials awarded
What Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year124 graduates / yr · 12 institutions44%
- Bachelor's degree49 graduates / yr · 3 institutions18%
- Associate's degree39 graduates / yr · 8 institutions14%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years36 graduates / yr · 4 institutions13%
- Award of less than 12 weeks18 graduates / yr · 1 institution6.4%
- Master's degree7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.5%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.1%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 238 |
| 2013 | 386 |
| 2014 | 391 |
| 2015 | 442 |
| 2016 | 417 |
| 2017 | 471 |
| 2018 | 457 |
| 2019 | 461 |
| 2020 | 396 |
| 2021 | 302 |
| 2022 | 290 |
| 2023 | 315 |
| 2024 | 271 |
| 2025 | 280 |
Top 23 institutions for Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Everett Community College Everett, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 48 | 37% | — | — |
| 2 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 34 | 41% | — | — |
| 3 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 32 | 42% | — | — |
| 4 | Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KSPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 25 | 57% | — | $64,703 |
| 5 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 25 | 47% | — | $78,820 |
| 6 | Wichita State University - Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology Wichita, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 43% | — | $24,913 |
| 7 | Shawnee State University Portsmouth, OHPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 16 | 48% | — | $57,682 |
| 8 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 16 | 45% | — | — |
| 9 | IYRS School of Technology & Trades Newport, RIPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 92% | $20,891 | — |
| 10 | The Landing School Arundel, MEPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 100% | $24,342 | — |
| 11 | Somerset Community College Somerset, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 43% | — | — |
| 12 | Ashland Community and Technical College Ashland, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 51% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MAPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 65% | — | — |
| 14 | Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 5 | 21% | — | $70,622 |
| 15 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 16 | Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 24% | — | — |
| 17 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 4 | 46% | — | — |
| 18 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie - Behrend College Erie, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 44% | — | — |
| 19 | Edmonds College Lynnwood, WAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 29% | — | — |
| 20 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 53% | — | $60,468 |
| 21 | Cerritos College Norwalk, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 31% | — | — |
| 22 | Hopkinsville Community College Hopkinsville, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 45% | — | — |
| 23 | Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 36% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 15.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 13 states
Where Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 3 | 53 | Everett Community College48 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 50 | Sinclair Community College34 / yr |
| Kansas | 2 | 41 | Pittsburg State University25 / yr |
| Michigan | 3 | 34 | Ferris State University25 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 32 | Hennepin Technical College32 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 16 | Utah Valley University16 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 13 | Community College of Allegheny County5 / yr |
| Kentucky | 3 | 12 | Somerset Community College6 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 9 | IYRS School of Technology & Trades9 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 7 | The Landing School7 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 5 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell5 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 5 | Cornell University5 / yr |
| California | 1 | 3 | Cerritos College3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3029, Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Engineering Technologists and Technicians, with an average annual wage of $77,390. The job outlook indicates little or no change in employment, with approximately 5,700 annual openings in the field. A typical educational requirement for these positions is an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.0607
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Otherprimary SOC 17-3029 | $78,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~5,700 | Associate's degree |
Related careers
Other Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.06).
- Manufacturing Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0613
Technician 5,247 graduates / yr272 institutions - Industrial Technology/CIP 15.0612
Technician 4,201 graduates / yr150 institutions - Industrial Production Technologies/CIP 15.0699
Technicians 2,268 graduates / yr66 institutions - Welding Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0614
Technician 507 graduates / yr27 institutions - Composite Materials Technology/CIP 15.0617
Technician partial data114 graduates / yr8 institutions - Metallurgical Technology/CIP 15.0611
Technician partial data82 graduates / yr5 institutions - Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/CIP 15.0616
Technician 82 graduates / yr10 institutions - Chemical Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0615
Technician partial data67 graduates / yr5 institutions
See all Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program typically awards credentials in at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What types of degrees can I earn?+
You can earn an Award of at least 12 weeks, an Associate's degree, or a Bachelor's degree.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 23 colleges offering this program across the United States.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 5,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician?+
Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician is CIP 15.0607 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.06). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing and using industrial polymers. Includes instruction in the principles of macromolecular chemistry, polymerization and plastic manufacturing processes and equipment, design and operational testing procedures, equipment maintenance and repair procedures, safety procedures, applications to specific products, and report preparation.
How many institutions offer Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician programs?+
23 U.S. institutions reported Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 13 states, awarding 280 credentials in the year. That is 2.2% of all Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other occupation, which Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,350 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $64,703 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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