Barton’s Scale Technician Certificate Program equips students with the essential technical skills needed to enter the weights and measures industry—a field with growing demand and career stability.
Whether you’re seeking a stable, in-demand technical career or looking to upskill quickly, Barton’s Scale Technician Program delivers practical training, strong industry connections, and real career opportunities—all at an affordable cost.
Barton Benefits
At Barton, our academic programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking necessary to thrive in today’s world. Whether you're just beginning your educational journey or advancing your career, we offer flexible and rigorous programs that support your goals.
Why Barton?
One-Semester Certificate
Complete your training and be job-ready in just one semester.
Hands-On Learning Tools
Work directly with industry-grade equipment, including a functioning truck scale.
Certified Instruction
Learn from NCWM-certified instructors with real-world experience and deep industry knowledge.
Established Industry Partnership
Barton has partnered with the Kansas Department of Agriculture for over 10 years, delivering continuing education and license renewal training for weights and measures professionals across the state.
Career Outlook
Technicians in this field typically start with a salary around $40,000—thanks to reduced on-the-job training requirements and the immediate hands-on skills gained in this program.
With scale companies often headquartered in larger cities but employing technicians across wider regions, many graduates find employment without the need to relocate.
Participants receive hands-on training in AC and DC circuits, practical experience working directly with a variety of scale systems, and Class A or B CDL training, enhancing their employability across the industry.
Graduates are prepared to install, maintain, repair, and certify a wide range of commercial and noncommercial scales, including:
- Large Scales – Truck, livestock, and railway scales
- Small & Medium Scales – Deli, meatpacking, floor, pawn shop, and jewelry store scales
- Retail Scales – Grocery store deli and scanner scales (used at checkout for weighing produce and scanning barcodes)
Affordable, High-Value Training
The Scale Technician Program at Barton offers an excellent return on investment. The total estimated cost is approximately $4,200, which includes tuition, course fees, and books.
Best of all, the program is eligible for financial aid, making it even more accessible for students looking to enter this in-demand field with minimal upfront cost.
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Industry Partnerships That Support Your Success
Barton’s Scale Technician Program is strengthened by partnerships with leading companies in the weighing and measurement industry. These collaborations provide students with real-world insights, hands-on training opportunities, and potential job placements after graduation.
Our trusted industry partners include:
- Gene’s Scale Service – Scott City, Kan.
- Travis Scale – Liberal, Kan.
- Salina Scale Sales and Service – Salina, Kan.
- Mettler Toledo – Wichita, Kan.
- Absolute Testing Company – Chapman, Kan.
- Rice Lake Weighing Systems – Rice Lake, Wi.
These partners help keep our curriculum aligned with current industry standards and ensure our graduates are prepared to meet the needs of employers across the region and beyond.
Degree Maps
Degree Maps
Certificate
Scale Technician (27 hours - certificate guide)
View the full list of Curriculum Guides (applicable for students admitted prior to Fall 2024) and Degree Maps (applicable for students admitted Fall 2024 and after).
Check out the Course Search for a full listing of courses available.
Courses
Courses
Check out the course descriptions below to learn more about the scales technician program.
WGHT 1100- Scale Industry Safety
This course provides students entering the weights and measures industry as scale technicians the necessary background to follow accepted safety procedures across environments where scales are used. Additionally it provides students the necessary information to follow health and safety procedures in settings where products for human consumption and use are produced and sold.
WGHT 1101- Scale Rule and Regulations
This course provides students entering the weights and measures industry as scale technicians the necessary background and familiarity with the appropriate reference materials for the proper installation, use, maintenance, and certification of weighing and measuring devices. Background is also provided on weights and measures laws specific to the State of Kansas.
WGHT 1102-Scale Principles and Technology
This course is designed to provide students with the background necessary to understand the principles behind the functioning and design of both analog and digital weighing devices across all classes of scales.
WGHT 1103-Commercial Driver’s License B
This course provides information and techniques necessary to successfully acquire a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The student will be taught and required to demonstrate the skills essential for proficiency while operating a commercial motor vehicle. Students will understand changing conditions, demands, traffic situations, and hazards that are essential in the professional driver’s job.
AGRI 1212-Commercial Driver’s License
This course provides information and techniques necessary to successfully acquire a Commercial Driver’s License. The student will be taught and required to demonstrate the skills essential for proficiency while operating a commercial motor vehicle. Students will understand changing conditions, demands, traffic situations, and hazards that are essential in the professional driver’s job.
MATH 1806-Technical Math
This course covers the mathematics needed by students enrolled in technical or trade programs. The emphasis will be on application in solving problems encountered in vocational fields; the student will be exposed to a broad coverage of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and basic statistics. The metric system and measurement techniques will also be covered.
NATG 1100-DC Circuits
The course is designed to acquaint students with the fundamentals of direct current (DC); circuits, the relationship between voltage, current, resistance, and power, the application of Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s laws.
NATG 1105- AC Circuits
This course teaches students the fundamentals of Alternating Current (AC), including magnetism, waveforms, oscilloscopes, function generators, capacitance, inductance, reactance, impedance, resonance, power supplies, transformers, RC circuits, RL circuits, RLC circuits, and filters.
BSTC 1036-Computer Concepts and Applications
This course is an introduction to computer concepts in which focuses on concepts including hardware, operating systems, ethics and security; and applies hands-on interaction with software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and database systems. On completion of this course, students will understand common computer terminology, utilize featured application software, and recognize relevant ethics and security issues associated with technology.
Discover Career Paths
Discover Career Paths
Visit the What Can I Do with My Major? webpage to find helpful resources on career paths, employers and more!
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