Industrial Technology Degree Programs in Washington, DC (2026)
Quick answer: The Washington metro employs about 1,290 industrial production managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through the employers and certifying bodies you are targeting.
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Production management is not a licensed occupation. What employers screen on is demonstrated plant experience plus, increasingly, Lean and Six Sigma certification from private bodies. Safety regulation through OSHA governs the facility rather than the manager as an individual.
See the District of Columbia licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with the employers and certifying bodies you are targeting.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record within 250 miles of this area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Industrial Production Managers Earn in Washington
Industrial Production Managers in the Washington area earn a median $137,860 per year, above the national median of $126,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Industrial Technology Pay in Washington, DC
| Metric | Washington metro | District of Columbia | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $137,860 | $124,420 | $126,060 |
| 10th percentile | $92,560 | $97,220 | $78,000 |
| 25th percentile | $113,620 | $107,990 | $98,160 |
| 75th percentile | $176,870 | $165,860 | $161,880 |
| 90th percentile | $223,510 | $202,030 | $205,520 |
| Employment | 1,290 | 50 | 246,250 |
| Location quotient | 0.26 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Washington median of $137,860 is above the national median of $126,060, and above the District of Columbia statewide median of $124,420 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 0.26 means industrial production managers are less concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Production management demand follows the region’s manufacturing base directly, so it is concentrated in industrial states rather than spread with population.
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do industrial production managers make in Washington?
The median annual wage for industrial production managers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $137,860, above the national median of $126,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many industrial production managers work in the Washington area?
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area employs about 1,290 industrial production managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do industrial production managers in Washington need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Production management is not a licensed occupation. What employers screen on is demonstrated plant experience plus, increasingly, Lean and Six Sigma certification from private bodies. Safety regulation through OSHA governs the facility rather than the manager as an individual. Confirm current requirements with the employers and certifying bodies you are targeting.
Can I study industrial technology online from Washington?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies the employers and certifying bodies you are targeting.
Is Washington a better market than the rest of District of Columbia?
The Washington metro median is $137,860 against a statewide median of $124,420 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Industrial Technology degree programs in District of Columbia - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Industrial Technology programs and how to choose one
- Maintenance Technician career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Industrial Production Managers (SOC 11-3051), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.