Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians at Ashland Community and Technical College

Ashland, KY · Public · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 1,566 students in Ashland, KY.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $27,379/yr fall 56% below the $62,221 national median for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 62.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians's career paths, with 22% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 2% gap from the optimistic case.

This program is one of 5 schools offering Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians offers 23 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
48
Score
49
High End
Earnings $27,379/yr (-56% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (78% shielded)
Job Market Medium (19,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$293K
1.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
63.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,656
Out-of-state: $6,192

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay $100,940 +5.5% 66%
Power plant operators $99,670 -11.2% 90%
Commercial and industrial designers $79,450 +3.2% 53%
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay
$100,940
+5.5% growth 66% AI-proof
Power plant operators
$99,670
-11.2% growth 90% AI-proof
Commercial and industrial designers
$79,450
+3.2% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

About Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians Careers

Your work will put you at the center of our energy future. You might spend your day hundreds of feet in the air, harnessed in, using torque wrenches and diagnostic software to service the massive blades of a wind turbine. Or you could be on a commercial rooftop, laying out racking systems and wiring solar panels into the grid. You’ll typically start as an apprentice, learning the ropes from seasoned pros, before advancing to a journeyman role where you work more independently.

Read the full Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians career guide →

Compare & Explore

Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians Overview

Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ashland Community and Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians at Ashland Community and Technical College?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Why are Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians earnings lower at Ashland Community and Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Ashland Community and Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Yes — 23 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians career paths, including Additive 3D Printing Technician. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →