Heavy Equipment Technology at Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Lexington, KY · Public · Associate Degree · Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies

with a mid-sized student body of 7,713 in Lexington, KY.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $64,355/yr, edging above the $51,528 national average for Heavy Equipment Technology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

The 80.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 11% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 12%. Career paths for Heavy Equipment Technology are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

At $8,522 in median debt against $64,355 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #20 out of 80 programs, Bluegrass Community and Technical College's Heavy Equipment Technology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $64,355 to $74,854 over five years (16% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 67 registered apprenticeships mapped to Heavy Equipment Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
70
Score
70
High End
Earnings $64,355/yr (25% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (80,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$767K
3.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
81.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
9 of 9
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)
$9,412
Out-of-state: $12,484
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,522
1.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,854
16% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Heavy Equipment Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers $106,580 +5.0% 82%
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door $74,690 +1.3% 87%
Rail car repairers $65,680 +2.8% 90%
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
$106,580
+5.0% growth 82% AI-proof
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door
$74,690
+1.3% growth 87% AI-proof
Rail car repairers
$65,680
+2.8% growth 90% AI-proof

View all 9 career paths with full salary data →

Heavy Equipment Technology Career Guide

What can you do with a Heavy Equipment Technology credential from Bluegrass Community and Technical College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Heavy Equipment Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Heavy Equipment Technology Overview

Heavy Equipment Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bluegrass 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 Heavy Equipment Technology at Bluegrass Community and Technical College?
At 70/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How safe is Heavy Equipment Technology from automation?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Heavy Equipment Technology work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Bluegrass Community and Technical College's score of 70/100 reflects this durability.
How affordable is Heavy Equipment Technology at Bluegrass Community and Technical College?
At $8,522 in median debt, Heavy Equipment Technology graduates from Bluegrass Community and Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.1x is well below the trade program average.
Is Bluegrass Community and Technical College one of the best schools for Heavy Equipment Technology?
Among 80 Heavy Equipment Technology programs, Bluegrass Community and Technical College's #20 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Are there apprenticeship options for Heavy Equipment Technology?
The DOL recognizes 67 apprenticeship pathways related to Heavy Equipment Technology. For students weighing Bluegrass Community and Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Heavy Equipment Technology from Bluegrass Community and Technical College?
At 80,400 annual openings, Heavy Equipment Technology has a large employment base. Bluegrass Community and Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →