How long does it take to become an industrial production manager?

Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do industrial production managers make?

The US median is $126,060 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become an industrial production manager?

Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.

Where can you train to become an industrial production manager?

2,536 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

🎓 My University View

Home › Careers › Industrial production managers

How to become an industrial production manager

Management · SOC 11-3051

$126,060US median pay, 2025

+2.6%Projected growth, 2025–35

17,000Openings per year

Degree + experienceUsual way in

How you get in

Not an entry-level job: it usually takes a degree plus years of related work.

Bachelor's degree
5 years or more of experience in a related job
Work as an industrial production manager

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Business Administration and Management, General	CIP 52.0201	2,320
Business/Commerce, General	CIP 52.0101	782
Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management	CIP 52.0203	334
Engineering/Industrial Management	CIP 15.1501	180
Operations Management and Supervision	CIP 52.0205	144
Industrial Engineering	CIP 14.3501	138
Science/Technology Management	CIP 52.0216	16
Clinical and Industrial Drug Development	CIP 51.2006	12
Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences	CIP 51.2009	8

See the 2,536 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become an industrial production manager?: Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do industrial production managers make?: The US median is $126,060 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become an industrial production manager?: Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.
Where can you train to become an industrial production manager?: 2,536 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

Related careers in Management

General and operations managers · Managers, all other · Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers · Financial managers · Medical and health services managers · Computer and information systems managers · Construction managers · Sales managers