Industrial Technology Degree Programs in Topeka, KS (2026)

Quick answer: Industrial Production Managers in the Topeka area earn a median $119,550 per year, below the national median of $126,060, and the metro employs about 120 of them (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Industrial Technology Pay in Topeka, KS

MetricTopeka metroKansasNational
Median annual wage$119,550$125,750$126,060
10th percentile$75,340$82,340$78,000
25th percentile$99,940$100,360$98,160
75th percentile$151,900$159,660$161,880
90th percentile$175,090$203,680$205,520
Employment1202,420246,250
Location quotient0.65-1.00

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Topeka, KS metropolitan statistical area.

What the Numbers Say About This Market

The Topeka median of $119,550 is below the national median of $126,060, and below the Kansas statewide median of $125,750 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

The metro’s location quotient of 0.65 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.

Other Kansas Metro Areas

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Wichita$127,360510

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

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 Kansas 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.

How We Rank Schools

We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%

Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

Flint Hills Technical College

Emporia, KS 50.9 miles away BOC Score 75.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 67.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 25
  • Annual completions: 654
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,442 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS 24.6 miles away BOC Score 72.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
  • Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 230 Lawrence, KS 66045
  • (785) 864-2700
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 68.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 25
  • Annual completions: 730
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $69,680 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Washburn Institute of Technology

Topeka, KS 3.1 miles away BOC Score 71.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 65.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 54
  • Annual completions: 1756
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $56,774 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS 49.4 miles away BOC Score 67.7
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 70.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 19
  • Annual completions: 619
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $64,711 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Manhattan Area Technical College

Manhattan, KS 50.5 miles away BOC Score 58.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 70.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 26
  • Annual completions: 607
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $57,918 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Benedictine College

Atchison, KS 48.6 miles away BOC Score 56.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 63.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 47
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,405 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Neosho County Community College

Chanute, KS 95.2 miles away BOC Score 55.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 36.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 42
  • Annual completions: 886
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,338 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Butler Community College

El Dorado, KS 105.7 miles away BOC Score 44.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 31.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 60
  • Annual completions: 633
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $46,569 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Kansas City Kansas Community College

Kansas City, KS 51.2 miles away BOC Score 44.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 40.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 52
  • Annual completions: 1485
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,545 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

McPherson College

McPherson, KS 114.6 miles away BOC Score 30.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 43.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 48
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,934 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do industrial production managers make in Topeka?

The median annual wage for industrial production managers in the Topeka, KS metro area is $119,550, below the national median of $126,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

How many industrial production managers work in the Topeka area?

The Topeka, KS metro area employs about 120 industrial production managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Do industrial production managers in Topeka 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 Topeka?

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 Topeka a better market than the rest of Kansas?

The Topeka metro median is $119,550 against a statewide median of $125,750 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.

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

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.

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/.