Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology is a hands-on, applied program designed to equip students with the technical expertise needed to support innovation and production in polymer-based industries. This field bridges scientific theory and industrial application, focusing on the development, processing, and performance of advanced plastic materials across diverse sectors.
- Macromolecular Chemistry: Explores the structure, synthesis, and behavior of large molecules, providing foundational knowledge for understanding polymer properties and performance.
- Polymerization Processes: Covers the chemical reactions and methods used to create polymers from monomers, including batch, continuous, and specialty techniques.
- Plastic Manufacturing Technologies: Focuses on industrial-scale processing methods such as extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, and thermoforming, with emphasis on equipment operation and optimization.
- Material Testing and Quality Assurance: Teaches systematic evaluation of polymer performance through mechanical, thermal, and chemical testing to ensure product reliability and compliance.
- Equipment Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Develops skills in the upkeep, calibration, and repair of processing machinery to maintain efficiency and minimize downtime.
- Industrial Safety and Compliance: Emphasizes safe handling of raw materials, adherence to environmental regulations, and implementation of risk mitigation strategies in production environments.
- Product Application and Design Support: Applies polymer science to real-world product development, including material selection for specific functional and structural requirements.
- Technical Documentation and Reporting: Builds proficiency in preparing clear, accurate reports, data analyses, and technical specifications for engineering teams and regulatory bodies.
Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology degrees, including Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 64,410 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other 17-3029 | $77,390 | $47,010 - $114,630 | 64,410 | $37.21 |
Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $58,350 in Vermont to $109,120 in District of Columbia—a 87% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, New Mexico, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 64,410 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 25 institutions offering Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology is found at Everett Community College (EvCC) (56 graduates), Ferris State University (FSU) (30 graduates), Wichita State University (WSU Tech), Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (28 graduates), Sinclair Community College (28 graduates), and Hennepin Technical College (HTC) (22 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 271 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everett Community College (EvCC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
56 | Everett, Washington | Public | everettcc.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
30 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU Tech) |
Other Award
|
28 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wsutech.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Other Award
|
28 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
22 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVUP) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
18 | Parkersburg, West Virginia | Public | wvup.edu |
| Pittsburg State University |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Pittsburg, Kansas | Public | pittstate.edu |
| IYRS School of Technology & Trades (IYRS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Newport, Rhode Island | Private | iyrs.edu |
| Cerritos College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Norwalk, California | Public | cerritos.edu |
| Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Public | grcc.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Other Award
|
7 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Public | behrend.psu.edu |
| Somerset Community College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Somerset, Kentucky | Public | somerset.kctcs.edu |
| Shawnee State University (SSU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
6 | Portsmouth, Ohio | Public | shawnee.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| The Landing School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Arundel, Maine | Private | landingschool.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Master's
|
3 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Edmonds College |
Associate's
|
3 | Lynnwood, Washington | Public | edmonds.edu |
| Cornell University |
Master's
|
2 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | ccac.edu |
| Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Ashland, Kentucky | Public | ashland.kctcs.edu |
| Gateway Community and Technical College (GCTC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Florence, Kentucky | Public | gateway.kctcs.edu |
| Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Prestonsburg, Kentucky | Public | bigsandy.kctcs.edu |
| Westmoreland County Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Youngwood, Pennsylvania | Public | westmoreland.edu |
| Spokane Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Spokane, Washington | Public | scc.spokane.edu |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology |
Associate's
|
1 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | Public | pct.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology degree?
Salaries for Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology graduates vary by role and location. Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other earn a median of $77,390 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $109,120 compared to $58,350 in Vermont. Approximately 64,410 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology programs?
Currently 25 accredited institutions offer Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Everett Community College (EvCC) (56 graduates), Ferris State University (FSU) (30 graduates), and Wichita State University (WSU Tech), Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (28 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 165 in 2010 to a peak of 396 in 2020, before declining slightly to 271 in 2023-24. This represents a 64% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 64,410 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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